Special drives in villages, protesters vow to swarm Delhi border

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, August 30

The lathicharge on farmers has further fuelled anger among the Punjab farming community. A special campaign has been launched to further mobilise support against the farm laws.

Besides holding meetings, announcements are being made from the public address system in villages asking residents to reach New Delhi in large numbers.

“Farmers from a majority of Punjab villages have already been protesting against the farm laws. The lathicharge on peaceful protesters has triggered a fresh wave of resentment and made our resolve even stronger,” said Jagtar Kalajhar, state press secretary, BKU Ugrahan. The lathicharge has become the main talking point at almost all demonstrations across the state. The protesters have vowed to send their family members to the Delhi border to further strengthen the agitation.

Resentment grows

The lathicharge on peaceful protesters has triggered a fresh wave of resentment and made our resolve even stronger. —Jagtar Kalajhar, State press secy, BKU Ugrahan

“It’s a direct challenge to farmers. On the directions of the Centre, the Haryana Government told the police to use batons on peaceful protesters. There will be a sharp rise in the number of protesters at the Delhi border,” said Jagir Kaur, an elderly protester in Sangrur.

Surmukh Singh, another protester, said: “All farmers who have died during the protest are our martyrs. We will force the state government to take care of their families.”

Dharminder Pashore, Lehra block president, BKU Ugrahan, said the lathicharge had caused outrage among farmers.