Tikri farmers shun jab, to be sensitised

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, March 18

Despite the best efforts of the district health authorities, farmers camping at the Tikri-Bahadurgarh border have so far been reluctant to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

For the second consecutive day today, no farmer turned up for vaccination at a booth set up at the protest site. The dismal response has forced the health authorities to plan holding an awareness campaign at Tikri. “We have been contacting farmers for vaccination, but they refuse to take jab. They often claim that the Covid-19 pandemic is nothing but a conspiracy of the Centre to divert the public attention,” said an official.

Parminder Singh of Moga claimed no farmer had been infected for three months at the stir site hence there was no need for vaccination.

“The issue will be discussed in the next meeting of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha to take a final call in this regard,” said Purushottam Singh Gill, a senior BKU leader.

Civil Surgeon Dr Sanjay Dahiya said efforts were being made to convince the protesters.

Dr Vinay Deswal, Senior Medical Officer, said health officials had been directed to meet the farmers to motivate them. No one had been vaccinated, he added.