All sections of society support anti-farm law protest in Malwa

Mahesh Sharma

Ahmedgarh, September 27

The Bharat bandh call given by the Umbrella Union of farmers, Samyukat Kisan Morcha, received a warm response from all sections of society, including farmers, agricultural labourers, commission agents and small traders, who squatted at different places on Ludhiana- Malerkotla Road, Raikot-Jagraon Road, Hari Singh Nalwa Chowk at Raikot, Mullanpur-Jagraon Road and Mullanpur-Barnala highways, besides link roads of the Malwa region from 6 am to 4 pm today.

Though residents were reported to have rescheduled their travel plans today, those undertaking journeys due to any emergency kept the police on toes while managing alternative routes for occupants of stranded vehicles.

However, protesters allowed free movement of ambulances, marriage parties and vehicles providing other essential services.

Office-bearers and activists of various farm organisations, led by regional leaders of the All India Kisan Sabha, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), Bharti Kisan Union (Lakhowal), Kirti Kisan Union, and Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta) Dakaunda organised dharnas on highways and link roads to block vehicular traffic.

Addressing gatherings at various places, speakers alleged that Prime Minister Narinder Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were bent upon ruining the present and future of the nation for appeasing their masters in the corporate sector.

“Now, when BJP leaders and colleagues of Prime Minister have conceded flaws of the laws passed by the Union Government and the farmers struggle has received support from the world across, but he (Prime Minister) is not ready to withdraw the Acts,” rued Harnek Singh Dhaliwal while addressing a gathering at Kilaraipur village.

Speakers at Lehra, Bhogiwal, Payal, Raikot, Halwara and Gahaur alleged that the Centre had failed to protect rights and interests of the common man on all fronts.

They urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the farm laws in the wider interest of the national economy, which according to them was bound to collapse in case these were implemented in present form.

Majority of government offices, banks and educational institutes too wore a deserted look as they had already informed their clients that restricted business would be conducted on Monday.

Children and women marked their presence by carrying flags of kisan unions to venues of protests and reciting poems and raising slogans.

Long-distance train passengers suffer

The administration was caught unaware when the Railway authorities stopped long-distance trains at railway stations falling on the Ludhiana Dhuri line after activists of the umbrella body of protesting farmers, Samyukat Kisan Morcha, blocked tracks at the Dhuri junction, near here, early in the morning.

Passengers of these trains, mostly non-Punjabis, were among worst affected as they were travelling with families, including women, children, elderly and patients. More worried were those families, who had to continue their further journey, by catching flights or trains from New Delhi.

However, generosity of office-bearers and activists of social and religious organisations by organising medical camps, ‘chhabils’, ‘langars’ and ambulance services reduced sufferings of distressed passengers to some extent.

Over 10 hours interruption of journey at small railway stations like Manid Ahmedgarh and Malerkotla proved a nightmare for passengers as basic amenities supposed to be provided by the Railways were absent. Lavatory and drinking water facility were completely unavailable at Mandi Ahmedgarh. Social organisations had to arrange their own public announcement system for dispersing information about availability of services among passengers spread over a wide area.

Government Railway Police officials remained on toes while handling overcrowding at camps organised by volunteers to distribute medicines and eatables among passengers.

Harmesh Pal, the GRP in-charge, said he had coordinated with office- bearers of social and religious organisations shortly after the Katra-Kota train was halted at 6.40 am. He said the train would resume its further journey by 5 pm.

Mundey Ahmedgarh Dey, Rotary Club Ahmedgarh, Shree Ram Mandir Committee, Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Radha Rani Parbhat Feri Mandal and the Ahmedgarh Sports and Welfare Association were among those organisations, which provided necessary services to stranded passengers.

Appreciating gestures of local residents, Radhey Shyam of Jammu said the condition of his friend, whom he was taking to Cancer Hospital in Sangrur, could have deteriorated had doctors not provided medical assistance and ambulance service for further travel.

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