Punjab farmers hold protest across 22 districts over urea shortage
Demonstrations planned at Amritsar, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Tarn Taran, among other districts
The All India Kisan Mazdoor Morcha organised effigy-burning protests across Punjab on Monday as part of a nationwide campaign in five states, with demonstrations to be held at nearly 74 locations in 22 districts.
The protests started at 9.30 am at all major locations and would continue till the afternoon.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that the agitation was organised to protest against the acute shortage of urea fertilizer. He alleged that urea was being black-marketed and sold at inflated prices through private shops and cooperative societies.
Pandher further alleged that some fertiliser dealers were pressing farmers to buy nano urea as a condition for obtaining the fertilizer.
Demanding government intervention, he urged the authorities to ensure a fair supply of urea at reasonable rates. He also criticised the rising prices of diesel, petrol and cooking gas.
The farmer leader said that the protests were also being held to oppose the forced acquisition of land in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Haryana. He also demanded the cancellation of the India–US trade deal currently in its final stage of negotiation.
Demonstrations are planned at key points including Amritsar, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Moga, Patiala, Rupnagar, Mofeswhali, Sangrur, Nawanshahr, Muktsar Sahib, Pathankot and Tarn Taran.
