Punjab’s largest farm union to continue protest

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 30

The BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), Punjab’s largest farmer union headed by its state president Joginder Singh Ugrahan at its state-level meeting today decided to continue protests outside the residences of BJP leaders, toll plazas, petrol pumps, shopping malls, silo warehouses, internal railway lines and private thermal plants against the Centre’s farm laws.

Calling it a “vindictive” order against the farmers, they also demanded repeal of the ordinance on burning of straw in the name of pollution with a provision of five-year jail and a fine of Rs 1 crore to farmers.

BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan said discussions were being held with all agitating organisations in the state to increase public pressure on the Union Government. He claimed that the Centre had already launched a vindictive attack by blocking train services for playing a leading role in raising farmers’ struggle across the country. He said Punjab won’t succumb to such pressure tactics. He also gave a call to strengthen the farmers’ struggle and take it to new heights.

He said dharnas were being held on internal lines entering the thermal power plants of private companies at Rajpura and Banawali and no track of the Northern Railway had been blocked.

A resolution was passed demanding the takeover of thermal plants of two private companies by the government and regular jobs for those working there. They also said coal for these plants be diverted to government units and the closed Bathinda plant be restarted.

It was announced in the meeting that the struggle for repealing of agriculture laws, power amendment Bill and new pollution ordinance would continue.

During their nationwide protest on November 5, his organisation would block roads at 23 places and would organise massive gatherings on the internal supply rail lines at a silo store in Dagru and two private thermal plants.

Railway services further suspended

• Train services will remain suspended till further orders or till farmers continue to block smooth operations
• Sources say the decision to extend the suspension of services has been taken in view on the ongoing stir
• Movement of trains was suspended for two days (October 24 and 25) and then extended by four days
• Railways has cited sporadic obstruction of tracks at many places, especially outside power plants, besides silos

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