Road blockades by Punjab farmers continue over 'tardy' paddy procurement

Farmers in Punjab continued their protest against the state government for the third day on Sunday to press for multiple demands, including tardy paddy procurement and shortage of fertilizers.

As part of their protest, farmers organised road blocks, or “chakka jam,” in several parts including Sangrur, Moga, Phagwara, and Batala.

Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh committee and Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) took part in the protest. The protest has led to major traffic disruptions and inconvenience to commuters.

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher, who was present at the protest site in Phagwara said, “The indefinite roadblocks announced by both fronts with the demands of paddy procurement, DAP, and stubble issues have entered the second day. Yesterday, the CM went to Delhi and said that he has held talks with MHA and JP Nadda... “

“The sellers and centre have not come to a decision yet... Ravneet Singh Bittu should talk to the centre and also the sellers so that they come to an agreement... The CM will be busy campaigning in Hoshiarpur for the bye-elections but he has assured us that he will hold talks with us... The Punjab government has a different stand on the stubble issue... The CM verbally attacked the farmers yesterday in Delhi when he said that they block highways,” he added.

In Phagwara, indefinite dharna of farmers continued near Sugar Mills as four-hour long meeting between the administration and representatives of the farmers led by Pandher remained 'inconclusive' on Saturday night.

The farmers remained adamant on their demands to arrange meeting with Chief Minister and reimbursement of the cuts imposed on farmers by commission agents and rice millers under the cover of moisture.

Meanwhile, a meeting of senior leadership of the farmer unions continued in nearby village Palahai on Sunday.

The leaders demanded that state government should give a proper plan that how reimbursement of cuts being imposed would be paid to the farmers.

The farmers on Saturday also protested against police actions against them for stubble burning.

On Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met Union Minister J P Nadda to discuss the availability of DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate) fertilizer for Punjab's ongoing agricultural season.

Mann highlighted Punjab's need for DAP supplies during this critical time. Following this, Nadda assured him of the centre's commitment and ensuring sufficient supplies of DAP for Punjab.

Commuters will face inconvenience in the days to come as Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, led by Sarwan Singh Pandher, announced road blockades from October 26 for an indefinite period at many places.

Pandher said sit-in protests would continue at one place each in Sangrur and Moga districts and at Phagwara in Kapurthala district and Batala in Gurdaspur district until their demands were accepted. — with Agencies