Punjab, Haryana farmers are going to strike tomorrow over farm bills. (FILE)
Chandigarh:
On Friday, farmers in Punjab and Haryana will go on strike to protest the controversial bills that have been passed in parliament.
No less than 31 peasant organizations have joined forces for the “Punjab Bandh”. Several organizations in Haryana, including the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), said they had supported the nationwide strike called by some farmer organizations against the bills.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh called on farmers to maintain law and order and adhere to all coronavirus safety protocols during the strike.
In a statement, Singh said the state government was fully with the farmers in their fight against the bills and that no FIRs would be registered for violating Article 144, which prohibits the gathering of more than four people.
There should be no disturbance of public order during the strike, the chief minister said. He called on farmers to ensure that citizens are not inconvenienced and that people’s lives and property are not endangered due to the unrest.
Union Bhartiya Kisan (Ekta Ugrahan) General Secretary Sukhdev Singh called on the population, including traders and businesses, to keep their shops closed in support of the strike.
Punjab Congress President Sunil Jakhar also urged people to support farmers and make the strike a success. The main opposition party Aam Aadmi has already extended its support, while the Shiromani Akali Dal has announced the holding of roadblocks.
Farmers began a three-day rail blockade against the bills and crouched down on the tracks in many places in Punjab on Thursday. Farmer groups also decided to opt for an indefinite rail blockade from October 1.
Protesters expressed apprehension that the Centre’s agricultural reforms would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system and be at the “mercy” of big business. Farmers said they would continue their fight until all three farm bills were overturned.
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, Agricultural Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill and Farmers Agreement (Empowerment and Protection) Bill on Price insurance and agricultural services were passed by parliament earlier this week.
Haryana BKU chief Gurnam Singh said that in addition to the outfit, other farmer organizations had also extended their support for the national strike.
“We have called for sit-ins to be held on national highways and other roads in a peaceful manner,” Singh said. “No sit-ins should take place on national roads.”
No one should engage in any illegal act during the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. strike, Singh said.
The BKU leader said commissionaires, traders and transporters had also been urged to support the strike.
Haryana’s Interior Minister Anil Vij held a meeting on Thursday with officials from the household and police to take stock of the situation, and ordered the DGP to ensure police arrangements are developed for avoid any unfortunate situation, according to a statement.
(This story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
