• By Aditya Jha
  • Sun, 27 Oct 2024 12:57 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Farmers in Punjab continued their protest on Sunday against the state and Central government to press their demands, including paddy procurement. The farmers blocked roads in several districts of Punjab, including Sangrur, Moga, Phagwara and Batla. The protest is led by the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh committee and Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political).

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha Coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher was also present at the protest site and said that the government had assured farmers that their demands are under consideration. "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," Pandher was quoted as saying by PTI. 

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"The sellers and Center have not come to a decision yet. Ravneet Singh Bittu should talk to the Center 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," Pandher added.

On Saturday, October 26, the farmers also protested against police action over stubble burning. One of the agitating farm leaders hit out at the governments, saying the issue of stubble burning has been used to defame and destroy farmers. "The pollution is not only because of stubble burning. It also happens due to many vehicles on roads, due to factories. Stubble burning only contributes two to three per cent to pollution levels. The pollution emitted by factories and other things is not even mentioned," he said.

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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who held a meeting with Union Chemical and Fertiliser Minister JP Nadda on Saturday, said that there was a shortage of DAP as 70 per cent of DAP is imported from other countries. The chief minister highlighted Punjab's need for DAP supplies during this critical time. Following this, JP Nadda assured him of Center's commitment towards ensuring sufficient supplies of DAP for Punjab.

Pandher said that the farmers have decided to continue their blockade indefinitely until the demands are met. He even suggested the state and central government to coordinate and find a solution for their issue.