Good response to bandh call at Mandi Ahmedgarh, Payal, Raikot

Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh/ Payal/ Raikot, September 25

The Bharat Bandh call given by farmer organisations and political parties over the three controversial farm Bills received a warm response from all sections of society. Commercial establishments were closed as a token of unconditional support to the farming community of the border state.

However, protests were held by organisations and political outfits at separate places where regional leaders tried to exhibit their show of strength.

Office-bearers and activists of the farmer organisations, led by local leaders of All India Kisan Sabha, Kirti Kisan Union, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), Bharti Kisan Union ( Lakhowal), Khet Mazdoor Union, CITU, and the Kisan Union Dakaunda organised dharnas on highways and link roads to block the vehicular traffic. Leaders of the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic), Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), Aam Aadmi Party and Lok Insaaf Party organised protest marches and rallies too.

Payal legislator Lakhvir Singh Lakha, Gill MLA Kuldeep Singh Vaid, Fatehgarh Sahib MP Amar Singh Boparai, Kilaraipur market committee chariman Ranjit Singh Mangat, general secretary Paramjit Singh Ghawadi, Raikot halqa in-charge Kaamil Boparai, chairman Baljinder Singh Baurhai, Ramesh Kaushal (all Congress leaders), former SAD legislator Iqbal Singh Jhoondan, Gurmeet Singh Ubhi, president, Navjot Singh Jyoti, Amar Afridi (all SAD leaders), Satbir Singh Sheera Banbhaura, Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra (AAP), Jagwant Singh Jaggie (SAD Democratic), Vikram Sharma Vicky and Ramandeep Singh (LIP) addressed rallies.

Baldev Singh Latala and Sikandar Singh Jartauli, office-bearers of the All India Kisan Sabha, Punjab, said several jathas of activists of the sabha, Khet Mazdoor Union, CITU and CPM had organised protest marches before leaving for Lodhowal to join the dharna by their counterparts on the Ludhiana-Jalandhar highway.

The speakers alleged that the Centre had failed to protect rights and interests of the common man on all fronts, including the fight against the pandemic, rescuing crumbling industry and starving labour and they alleged that the Union Government had been illogically taking hasty decisions like the farm Bills, Electricity Amendment Act and increasing prices of essential commodities, thus affecting members of all sections of society, including farmers, labourers and traders.

They urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the farm Bills in wider interest of the national economy, which was bound to collapse after implementation of the ordinances.

Women contribute their bit by preparing langar

When men from villages of the region squatted on highways and link roads blocking the vehicular traffic to impress upon the Centre to withdraw the farm Bills, women participated in the protest by preparing langar for protesters at gurdwaras of their respective localities.

Organisers too had chosen venues for their dharnas in the vicinity of major gurdwaras, situated along highways and link roads, with an intent to facilitate serving of langar, tea and water to the protesters. The langar was also served to police personnel who were deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

Gurdwaras at Bhogiwal, Jandali, Lehra, Dehlon, Alamgir, Karamsar, Gopalpur , Guram, Baurhai, Lohgarh, Kup Kalan and Gill served food to activists taking part in the protest.

Special arrangements at gurdwaras

Observations revealed that management committees of gurdwaras of the region had made special arrangements for organising langar and chhabils for the protesters and occupants of vehicles stranded on roads in their respective localities. Mobile trolleys were also pushed into service to serve water, tea and snacks.

Office-bearers and activists of social and religious organisations supplemented arrangements by providing raw material and cooked food to organisers of dharnas. Deepak Sharma, a social activist, said bread and milk were provided to volunteers organising langars and chhabils for the protesters.

Paramdeep Singh Deepa of Dehlon, an office-bearer of Milan Welfare Organisation, said the organisation had made arrangements for providing tea and snacks for activists protesting at Sahnewal Chowk and Kaind Bridge.

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