Ferozepur streets wear deserted look

Ferozepur, February 16

Most of the educational institutions and business establishments remained closed and the markets wore a deserted look throughout the day following the call for Bharat Bandh by farmers’ unions. Moreover, hundreds of commuters had to bear the brunt due to lack of bus and other transportation services.

The members of farmers’ unions today blocked the roads at various points including at cantonment area, Golu Ka Mour village situated on Ferozepur-Fazilka road, Bangali Wala Bridge on NH-54 in Makhu area, at Talwandi Bhai under bridge.

Avtar Singh Mehma, state spokesperson of Krantikari Kissan Union said the Union Government is not doing justice with the farmers. “Neither the government has formed any law on MSP neither it has announced any waiver of debt. Our intention is not to trouble anybody but we are fighting for our rights only,” he said.

Sanjeev Khurana, a shopkeeper in the city said though most of the traders and shopkeepers have shut down their shops to extend support to the farmers, but due to this they have to face financial loss.

Satbir Kaur (32), a resident of Zira said that she could not reach to her office due to bandh. “I travel from Zira to Ferozepur daily but today there was no bus available, so I had to take a leave from office,” said Satbir.

It is pertinent to mention here that the farmer unions including Bharti Kissan Union (Rajewal), BKU (Dakaunda), BKU (Lakhowal), BKU (Qadian), Kissan Majdoor Sangarch Committee and others under the banner of “Sanyukt Kissan Morcha” were taking part in this “bandh”. Their major demands include MSP for all crops based on Swaminathan Commission recommendation, legal guarantee of procurement, debt waiver, no hike in electricity tariff and no installment of smart meters.