Farmers affiliated with the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha initiated a five-day sit-in protest outside the office of Punjab Cabinet Minister Ravjot Singh in Hoshiarpur on Monday. They are demanding immediate discussions regarding their grievances and have warned of escalating their protests if the state government does not engage with them soon.
Farmers in Punjab Threaten Escalation Amid Ongoing Protests
Farmers in Punjab are intensifying their protests against the state government, with BKU Doaba president Manjit Singh Rai announcing a five-day demonstration outside the offices and residences of ministers. This comes after farmer organizations submitted memorandums to deputy commissioners across the state, urging the government to engage in talks regarding their demands.
Rai indicated that if the government continues to refuse dialogue, a meeting is scheduled for September 16 to determine their next steps. He warned that larger forms of agitation, including blocking railway tracks and highways, could be on the horizon if their concerns remain unaddressed. He emphasized that the state government would bear responsibility for any public inconvenience resulting from such actions.
In addition to the protests, Rai criticized the government for its handling of a coal shortage, claiming that the chief minister’s assurances of sufficient coal availability were misleading. He stated that the ongoing power shortages are adversely affecting both farmers and the industrial sector.
The protesters are demanding that the Punjab government ensure the procurement of crops like basmati, maize, moong, mustard, and potatoes at minimum support prices. They are also calling for effective policies to address issues such as flooding, groundwater depletion, and pollution, along with equitable distribution of river waters based on the riparian principle.
