Tardy paddy procurement: Unions defer plan to make Ladhowal toll barrier free
The farmer unions which had announced to make the Ladhowal toll barrier free for commuters in protest against the tardy procurement of paddy on Thursday deferred their plan after government officials assured that paddy procurement would turn smooth in the next 48 hours. The union leaders categorically said that they would shut the toll barrier operations and commuters would be allowed to cross the toll plazas without paying a penny if the officials are not able to deliver on their promise.
On Thursday morning, farmers had gathered at Ladhowal toll barrier in large numbers. The administration had also deployed a huge posse of police force to handle the law and order situation. Police officials led by ACP West Gurdev Singh and SHO Ladhowal Harpreet Singh Dehal started convincing farmers not to shut the toll barrier operations. After long negotiations, police officials took the matter before senior government officials who held an interaction with farmers. Officials told the farmers to defer their protest as the government would soon initiate paddy procurement and farmers would not face any problems.
Talking to mediapersons, farmer union leaders said that they had held an interaction with the Chief Secretary, Punjab, and other government officials who assured that paddy procurement would become smooth within 48 hours. Due to the assurance, farmer unions decided to defer their protest but if their demands are not met within 48 hours, they would completely shut the operations of Ladhowal toll barrier, the union said.
Make Chowkiman toll barrier free for indefinite period
In Jagraon, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) activists completely shut the operations of Chowkiman toll barrier and commuters were allowed to pass without paying any toll fee. Union president Charan Singh Noorpura said that they would not allow the operation of toll barrier until the government ensures uninterrupted procurement of paddy. Farmers would also start a protest outside the office of AAP MLA from Payal, Manvinder Singh Giaspura.
