Ludhiana: Farmers protest tardy lifting of paddy

Farmers gathered at the main grain market today to protest against the tardy lifting of paddy by making the Ladhowal toll barrier free. Farmers, including women in a large numbers, reached the grain market and staged a dharna.

Dilbagh Singh, president of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Kisan Union, said as decided, they reached the toll plaza today and later, officials of the police and administration also intervened in the matter and started the lifting of paddy at grain markets.

“Farmers are bearing the brunt and will face losses if paddy is not lifted on time. We had given a call for protest today, hence, gathered here. Since, the lifting was started today, we did not made the toll plaza free. If the lifting is stopped, we will not think twice to make the toll plaza free in protest,” he said.

Manjit Singh Dhillon, president of the Arhtiya Association, said they were with farmers and would go by whatever was decided by them.

Harjinder Singh, a farmer, said his paddy produce had been lying in the grain market for the past four days and it had not been lifted so far.

“Farmers were suffering due to policies of the Central Government and state government. Paddy produce is lying in gunny bags in the open. The government should take steps for its lifting,” he said.

Another farmer, Gursewak Singh, has been waiting at the grain market for the past five days as paddy lifting has not been done so far. “I cannot return home as my produce is lying here and on the other hand, my family also needs me at home. I don’t know what to do in such a situation,” he said.