Despite Covid surge, crowds swell at farm protest venues

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, May 22

Despite surging Covid deaths, the number of farmers staging protests against the Central farm laws across the district is witnessing an increase, thus causing panic among area residents. The Health Department authorities have intensified testing.

Various farmer leaders have been claiming that they had directed all farmers to come prepared with masks and sanitisers to prevent the spread of the virus.

“We are aware of the gravity of the situation and have made it mandatory for all to wear masks and follow social distancing norms during protests. Our protest will continue till the farm laws are repealed,” said Gobinder Singh, BKU (Ugrahan) leader from Sangrur.

To further intensify their agitation, more farmers will leave for New Delhi on May 23 while farmer leaders on Saturday conducted meetings in various villages. There are many families whose all members are taking part in the protests after locking their houses.

“My husband has been at the New Delhi border while me and my son come here to take part in the protest. We are participating on our own as it’s our fight for survival,” said Balwinder Kaur, an elderly protester.

Harjinder Singh, another protester, claimed that a few government employees had been trying to defame farmers for the spread of the virus.

“Only farmers are not responsible for the spread of the virus,” said Kuljeet Singh, a protesting farmer.

Civil Surgeon Dr Anjna Gupta said their teams had been conducting required testing. “Our teams have been visiting villagers who have started responding positively to our requests for testing,” she said.

AAP writes to Modi

Chandigarh: AAP MP Bhagwant Mann and Punjab affairs co-in charge Raghav Chadha on Saturday wrote to PM Narendra Modi urging him to resume talks with farm leaders opposing the agricultural laws. “The government has not made any attempt to negotiate with farmers since January 22, which is not in the interest of farmers and nation,” they added. tns