Farmers block roads at 5 places in Sangrur district

On the call of Samyukt Kisan Morcha, various farmer unions, including Kirti Kisan Union, BKU (Rajewal), Kul Hind Kisan Sabha Punjab, BKU (Dakonda-Burajgill), BKU (Dakonda-Dhaner), Punjab Kisan Union, today blocked roads at five places in Sangrur district to protest tardy paddy procurement and lifting, besides shortage of DAP fertiliser.

Commuters stranded in Ludhiana

The protests across Ludhiana caused huge trouble to commuters on Friday. Various farmers union blocked national highways in Khanna, Jagraon and Ludhiana. Farmers blocked roads from 11 am to 3 pm. Only emergency vehicles were allowed to pass. Residents heaved a sigh of relief when farmers lifted protest at 3 pm.

Students caught unawares in Patiala

Farmers’ protest led to traffic jams in Patiala. Students of various institutions in the city who were returning home for the weekend were the worst-hit. Many of them were not aware of the protest and were caught off guard. Due to the closure of main roads, traffic went up on the alternative routes, causing traffic chaos on those roads too.

The Sangrur-Barnala road at Bahadurpur village (near Sangrur); Sangrur-Dhuri road at Ladda village (near Sangrur); Sangrur-Patiala road at Bhawanigarh; Lehra-Jakhal road at Lehra and the road near Grain Market at Chhajli village were blocked for four hours from 11 am to 3 pm. Normal traffic resumed after 3 pm.

Malerkotla: Office-bearers and activists of various outfits working for the welfare of farmers have threatened to intensify their stir in case their demands are not accepted without further delay.

While addressing a dharna held on Ludhiana-Sangrur highway near truck union in Malerkotla, protesters led by office-bearers of Bharti Kissan Union (Kadian), BKU (Dakaunda Buta Buraj Gill) and Kirti Kissan Union threatened to intensify their stir in case the administration did not expedite the process of procurement and lifting of paddy with immediate effect.