Centre trying to suppress voice of farmers: Sarwan Singh Pandher

Mohit Khanna

Patiala, March 6

The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-political), which are spearheading the “Dilli Chalo” march, today criticised the Centre for detaining farmers heading to Delhi.

Farm leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Manjeet Ghuman said the Centre had fortified security at Singhu, Tikri and Gazipur borders, indicating that farmers of other states were also part of this agitation.

Pandher said, “A group of 30 farmers from Kota in Rajasthan have been detained at Sawai Madhopur. Similarly, another batch of 50 farmers heading to Delhi from Rajasthan was stopped. More than 100 ‘X’ handles have been blocked since yesterday to silence the voice of farmers.”

Farmers from Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala would reach the national capital within a couple of days, he said.

The farm leaders criticised the Haryana Government for using weapons on the agitating farmers. “The media report suggests that Shubhkaran Singh was killed by a bullet of 12-bore weapon at the Khanauri barrier on February 21. The role of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has remained dubious. We have learnt that the Zero FIR was registered after receiving a consent from the Haryana Government,” said the farm leaders.

The farm unions plan to celebrate the International Women’s Day on March 8 at Shambhu and Khanauri.

Pandher praised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her stance against the Central Government. He said, “It remains to be seen whether the Mann government will take a similar stand. If it does, we will support him.”