Farmers observe ‘Black Day’ in Ludhiana

Tribune News Service

Manav Mander

Ludhiana, February 23

Various farmer unions observed ‘Black Day’ across the district today. Protests were also held in Jagraon, Payal, Maloud, Dehlon, Raikot, Samrala, Khanna, Doraha, Raikot, Khamano, Sidhwan Bet, Maachiwara, Neelon, Ladowal toll barrier and Ghulal toll plaza. In the city, a protest was held by central trade unions, All India Trade Union Congress, independent federations and associations outside the Mini-Secretariat.

During the protests effigies representing PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Haryana CM Khattar and Minister Anil Vij were burnt. The call for ‘Black Day’ was given by Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), following the death of a young farmer Shubhakaran Singh at Khanauri border.

The speakers said the Centre and Haryana Government must step down. They also demanded that a murder case be registered against the suspcts, a probe be conducted and appropriate punishment be awarded after investigation by a Supreme Court Judge. “We demand, from the Punjab Government, that a case should be registered against the suspects who opened fire in our area,” said DP Maur, while protesting outside the Mini-Secretariat.

Saudagar Singh, general secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan), while addressing the protesters at Sudhar said farmers were demanding MSP from the government but the demand fell on deaf ears. He also said theywould organise a tractor march on February 26.

Balbir Singh Rajewal, president of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal), said, “We are of the opinion that it was illegal on part of Haryana Police to enter the borders of Punjab and repress the farmers through pellet guns.”

While addressing a protest at Samrala, HS Lakhowal, president of BKU (Lakhowal), said farmers were protesting and marching to Delhi to put forward their demands but the government was looking the other way and adopting an indifferent attitude towards them. “Our primary concern is the MSP, at which the government will procure agricultural produce from farmers. Even as the government promised to meet our demands during the earlier agitation, it has not been doing so,” said Lakhowal.

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