Farmers’ show of strength in Ludhiana today; 1,000 cops to guard rally venue

Close to 1,000 cops will be on guard around Ludhaina’s Jodhan grain market on Thursday as thousands of farmers are expected to gather there to lodge their protest against the state government’s land pooling policy.

“We have called for additional force (from nearby areas) and about 1,000 cops will be on duty during the rally tomorrow,” said Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) Ankur Garg.

The protest rally, being dubbed as a “show of strength” by farmers, has been called by the Bharti Kisan Union (BKU-Sidhupur), an outfit led by farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal.

Dallewal had earlier held a months-long hunger strike on the state’s border with Haryana against the Centre over the demand for an assured price of crops.

According to union leaders, the protest rally will be held from 11 am to 4 pm, during which over 50,000 farmers are expected to turn up. They will be addressed by Dallewal.

Amrik Singh, president of the Sudhar block of the Sidhupur faction of the BKU, said the protest had been called by “non-political farmers”, whose land is set to be acquired under the policy by the government.

“We are making all necessary arrangements for the mega rally. The government’s policy is unethical and against interests of the farming community. Come what may, we will not allow the government to take even an inch of our land,” he added.

Called by Dallewal’s outfit

Meanwhile, sources said this would be “exclusively BKU (Sidhpur) protest, with no participation from other farm unions”.

However, Amrik Singh maintained that farmers were united on this issue.

“During the recent tractor march, 150 tractors were contributed by the BKU (Sidhpur) and our farmers played a leading role. Whether other unions join us or not, it is up to them. On the issue of land pooling, all farmers are united,” he added.

‘Farmers stand united’

Farmer leader Tarsem Singh Jodhan said while the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) “may not participate officially”, the farming community remained united on this cause.

The SKM is an umbrella body of farm unions that had led a year-long stir at Delhi borders in 2020-21 against the Centre’s now-withdrawn three controversial farm laws.

Meanwhile, to accommodate large gathering, huge tents are being set up and langar will be served to farmers coming from different corners of Punjab.

Gurdeep Singh of Phagla village expressed concerns against the policy. “We are not highly educated and don’t understand concepts like ‘residential colonies’ or ‘shop-cum-offices’. If we sell our land, we want cash. We don’t know what development the government is talking about after five years. Why can’t they understand our simple concern?” he said.