Farmers gherao Ludhiana DC office, refuse to hand over demand letter to tehsildar

Farmers staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s Office here on Monday, seeking acceptance of their “long-pending” demands and implementation of the ones that have already been accepted. The protest was organised on a statewide call by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM).

High drama was seen at the end as the protesting farmers refused to hand over a demand letter to a tehsildar who had come. The protesters insisted the DC or the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) comes out and accepts the letter.

The protesting farmers reached the main gate of the DC office and raised slogans. Officials said there was a brief scuffle between the protesters and the police. Bowing to the pressure, the ADC later received the demand letter.

The protesters demanded loan waivers for farmers and labourers, Rs 10 lakh for families of farmers who committed suicide due to debt or financial hardships, efforts for water conservation and canal water supply to every farm.

They demanded the issues related to river waters be resolved according to riparian-basin principle and constitutional provisions.

The protesters also asked the authorities to ensure efforts to prevent discharge of polluted water into rivers, canals and drains.

The protesting farmers called for a stop to Centre’s “interference” in the state’s rights and sought purchase of all crops at minimum support prices (MSP).

According to the protesters, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed under pressure from the US should be cancelled, along with the Electricity Amendment Bill.

They demanded that the authorities consider market prices and other related factors while deciding land acquisition rates for the Bharat Mala project.

The protesters also asked for resumption of trade with Pakistan and West Asian countries through the Attari-Wagah and Hussainiwala borders, by road and rail.

The agitating farmers said their demands have been falling on deaf ears for a long time.