Farmers under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), Punjab, on Saturday staged a protest in Ajnala against the alleged police action on farmers during a march towards the Punjab Governor House in Chandigarh.
The protesters demanded that the Central Government withdraw the notification removing Punjab’s permanent irrigation member seat from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). They also sought adequate canal water for every farm and safe drinking water for every household.
Farmer leaders said that thousands of farmers were peacefully marching towards the Governor House on Friday when the police allegedly resorted to a lathi-charge, fired tear gas shells and used water cannons to stop them. According to the leaders, several farmers were injured, while many suffered eye irritation and damage due to tear gas exposure. They further alleged that 24 farmers, including women protesters, were detained by the police.
During the protest in Ajnala, members of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha carried effigies of Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and the BJP through the main markets before burning them at the main chowk.
The protest was led by Dr Satnam Singh Ajnala, state president of the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha and senior leader of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. He said the agitation would be intensified further and added that an SKM meeting had been convened on May 21 to decide the next course of action.
Farmer leaders also criticised the hike in the minimum support price (MSP), calling it inadequate. Dr Ajnala said MSP for crops should be fixed in accordance with the recommendations of the Dr Swaminathan Commission, which proposes a 50 per cent profit margin above the total cost of production.
Several farmer, labour and youth leaders also addressed the gathering and condemned the alleged police action against farmers in Chandigarh.
Growers burn effigies of Guv, BJP in Tarn Taran
Farmers across the district, protesting against the alleged lathi charge and use of tear gas shells on farmers in Chandigarh on Friday, burnt effigies of Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and the BJP on Saturday following a call by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha.
Under the leadership of Nachhattar Singh Pannu, Sukhchain Singh Sarhali, Mehar Singh Sakhira and Sardar Singh, farmers at Sarhali Khurd village on the Tarn Taran–Patti road expressed strong anger against the government.
Leaders said the Centre had abdicated its responsibility of safeguarding Punjab’s interests, adding that the state’s representation on the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) had been terminated.
They also outlined other demands raised by the farming community.
Similarly, under the leadership of Daljit Singh Dayalpura, farmers burnt effigies of the BJP and the Governor at Dayalpura.
