Farm groups ask Punjab to withdraw cases by September 8

BATHINDA: The 32 farm organisations of Punjab have given an ultimatum to the state government to withdraw all cases registered against farmers for opposing the Shiromani Akali Dal rallies at Moga and Machhiwara by September 8 or they would be forced to escalate the protest.

They have deferred the decision on the position to be adopted vis-a-vis various political parties to September 8 as senior leaders of farm organisations were not present in the meeting at Singhu border on Friday. The farm groups have also taken strong note of the statement by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal wherein he had indicated that the Akali Dal workers were capable of taking on nuisance creators, but avoided referring to farmers. The farmers have also asked farmers not to provide fards (revenue record) to the procurement agencies at the time of paddy procurement.

The farm organisations asked the political parties to desist from getting into election mode so early if they are truly supportive of the farmer struggle. The early start of campaigning is perceived to be an anti-farmer conspiracy, to distract and divert attention from the crucial struggle of farmers.

Farm leader Manjit Singh Rai alleged that Sukhbir Badal is trying to provoke farmers through his statements. "We challenge him that if we give a call, it will become tough for him to stand in Punjab. It seems that he is speaking with the underhand support from BJP and wants to spoil the peaceful atmosphere in Punjab. We want all political parties to stop rallies till the elections are announced."

In the meanwhile, the activists of farm organisation BKU Krantikari and other outfits again assembled at the Moga grain market on Friday and held a protest against the lathicharge on farmers and demanded withdrawal of case against the farmers. Activist Lakha Sidhana, too, participated in the protest.

‘Attack unpardonable’

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in a tweet said that the brutal attack by police on farmers in Moga is unpardonable. Eerie silence of Sukhbir Badal, against whom the farmers were protesting and CM Captain Amarinder, to whom the police report, further vindicates that both of them are as much anti-farmer as the BJP government at the Centre.