Farmers' agitation: Hundreds set to join three-day Patiala dharna

Patiala, May 27

Despite requests by the Punjab Government and the district administration not to go ahead with their agitation, hundreds of farmers from across Punjab are expected to participate in a three-day dharna under the banner of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) at CM’s hometown, starting Friday.

While experts suggest it could be a “super-spreader” event, given the high rate of infection in the rural areas, farmers from villages that have been declared containment zones are likely to make matters worse. “It will be serious, given the chances of spread of infection in such large gatherings,” said an expert.

However, BKU general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said: “We will highlight government’s failure in tackling the virus, especially when it came to relaxations for the poor, who had to pay lakhs of rupees at private hospitals”.

“All preparations are complete and over 3,000 farmers will be in attendance on the first day and gradually the numbers will increase. All efforts will be made to follow the social distancing norms,” he said, adding the central and state governments were responsible for the plight of the farmers.

Meanwhile, health officials said holding such an agitation at this juncture was ill advised as many villages had been declared containment zones and if farmers from these villages attended the event, it was likely the virus would spread further. “We have recorded a spike in cases in the rural areas. If they attend gatherings now, chances of its spread increase further, putting others at risk,” said an official.

However, farm unions are adamant as thousands of protesters are camping in Patiala. “The dharna will be held to expose the government on unfilled vacancies in the health sector and how the poor were being fleeced in the name of treatment. Where were the governments during rallies and similar gatherings?” said a farm leader. — TNS

Jyani serves notice on private channel

• Former Health Minister and BJP’s Fazilka ex-MLA Surjit Kumar Jyani’s counsel sent a legal notice to a private news channel on Thursday for allegedly breaching code of ethics and broadcasting standards by distorting facts of his interview on May 25 on the ongoing farmers’ protest
• The counsel alleged due to twisting of facts, his client’s image had been tarnished, causing him mental harassment. The counsel, on behalf of Jyani, has demanded an unequivocal apology in this regard OC