Total bandh observed at Sahnewal, Doraha

Our Correspondent

Sahnewal/Doraha, Sept25

Each and every section of society today joined hands with farmers to protest against the three farm Bills of the Central Government. The protests turned into a mass movement at most of the places.

The protesters blamed the Central Government that has forced the farming community to come out on roads to protest amid the pandemic.

President of the Bharti Kisan Union (Punjab) Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, who addressed the protesting farmers at various protesting spots at Kohara and surrounding areas, said: “It is a moment for all farmers, workers, arhtiyas, shopkeepers, small manufactures and the public as a whole to unite and speak up, once and for all, against the arbitrariness of the Centre. Through the farm Bills, the Centre is forcing farmers to become slaves of owners of big corporate houses and multinational companies. People should again be forced to die of hunger.”

General secretary of the Bharti Kisan Union (Punjab) Harinder Singh, along with Pooran Singh Shakot, Avtar Mehlon, Gurwinder Singh Koom Kalan, Harminder Khaira, Jaswant Singh Dona, Harjet Singh Dhesi, Sarabjit Singh Dhnansu, Gurcharan Singh Hawas also addressed the protesting farmers.

“In a democratic government, it is the constitutional and moral duty of every ruling government to lend a patient ear to the community which may be adversely affected by dictatorial and arbitrary decisions of the government. On the other hand, if denied, refused and taken unheard, the people’s democracy has every right to come out on the streets, stage protests and force the government to relent and withdraw such decisions, “ said Youth Akali Dal leader Simranjit Singh Dhillonwhile while addressing a gathering in Kohara. Senior SAD leader Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal also addressed the farmers.

“The ordinances are in all ways anti-farmers in nature. It is shameful for the government to pass such Bills, completely ignoring the nationwide massive protests and agitation by the farmers,” said the general secretary of BKU (Ekta) Ugrahan Saudagar Singh Ghudani while addressing the farmers at Machhiwara.

In-charge of the Payal constituency Lakhvir Singh Lakha, while addressing a huge gathering of protesters in Doraha, said: “Now, there should be no looking back for us. The Centre wants to snatch lands of the farmers and hand the same to the big corporate houses.”

“The ordinance is meant to promote corporate culture for the benefit of private business houses. It would lead to exploitation of farmers who would be reduced to labourers and would remain owners no more,” expressed Pritpal Singh Baliawal, national coordinator of the All India Congress Committee, who along with other members of the Youth Congress, took out a mashal march on Rahon Road, falling under the Sahnewal constituency.

SAD halqa in-charge Payal Ishar Singh Meharban, along with other party leaders, including Harjiwan Pal Singh Gill, Kuwar Jaggi and party workers, while staging a protest near Doraha said: “Our protest will be continued till the Centre is forced to take back the decision. We have been protesting for long but with perseverance and show of strength, we shall prove that governments cannot unthinkably impose any such decision on the community, which is the feeding bowl of the country.”

President of the Arhtiya Association of Sahnewal Ajmer Singh Dhaliwal said: “When each and every person from a farmer to an arhtiya, labourer, shopkeeper and even a common man is going to be affected by these Bills, why should we sit back? We will make such a show of strength that the government would be forced to think twice before taking such an arbitrary decision in the future.”

“We wish to show to the Centre as well as state government that the farmers will not resist every arbitrary move of the government,” said women who came out in support of the protesting farmers.”

Meanwhile, the entire town of Sahnewal and Doraha was kept closed as per the decision taken by all shopkeepers. President of the Shopkeepers Association of Doraha Bobby Tiwari said all shops were kept closed today as a mark of protest and in solidarity with the farmers.

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