Farmers continue dharna over aid for mishap victims

The indefinite dharna by BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) activists outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Barnala continued for the third day today. They are seeking a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of three women who died in a road mishap while on way to attend a “kisan mahapanchayat” in Tohana (Haryana) on January 4.

The administration is reportedly ready to give Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased, but farmers want Rs 10 lakh each as compensation.

The union also wants Rs 5 lakh each as compensation for the seriously injured farm activists and Rs 2 lakh each for the other injured. Thirty-six activists of the union were injured in that accident.

Barnala district general secretary of the union Jarnail Singh Badra said despite the indefinite dharna for three days, the state government had not paid any attention to fulfil the demands of farmers.

On Monday, the administration told them during a meeting that it could give Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. About the injured, the administration said it had provided free treatment to them.

Badra said their dharna would continue till the acceptance of their demands by the state government and the district administration.