Farm unions hold 3rd round of unity talks; meet inconclusive

The meeting between Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) leaders for forging a unity among all farm unions remained inconclusive in the absence of any representation from the Jagjit Singh Dallewal-led Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political).

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Though farm leaders from the SKM, its affiliate BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) and the KMM claimed they were “inching closer to unity”, the absence of any representative of the SKM (Non-Political) indicated otherwise. Farm leaders, who held discussions for almost three hours, said unity among all farm unions was necessary to make the government accept their demands.

“We will have a meeting again to forge unity. This is the third round of talks and we are making progress,” said Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of the BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan).

Farm leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said this was an ongoing process and they were making efforts to bring all unions together.

Sarwan Singh Pandher, who led the seven-member KMM delegation at the meeting, said, “We want unity among all farm unions just as we had united in 2020 against the three farm laws. We will be able to force the government to accept our demands only if we are united. The SKM (Non-Political) leaders were busy with the mahapanchayat at Dhabi Gujra today. But we have decided to hold common protests. I will take this message to the SKM (Non-Political) leadership,” he said.

The SKM (Non-Political) leaders have been protesting at the Khanauri border for a year now. Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast since November-end. KMM leaders have been protesting at Shambhu since February last year. Today, their protest completed one year.

When asked if SKM leaders would also participate in the meeting with representatives of the Centre on Friday, SKM leader Raminder Singh Patiala said that was not on today’s meeting agenda. Pandher later said that members of the delegation that would meet the Central team would be decided later. Pandher also said that they would protest any move by the Punjab Government to impose stamp duty on property transfer among blood relations.

Farm leaders also demanded that a session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha be convened immediately to reject the Draft National Policy Framework on Agriculture Marketing.