Farmers hold protests against land bill in Bathinda, Moga and Patiala
Thursday, 02/04/2015
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BATHINDA/MOGA: Several farmers owing allegiance to different organisations staged demonstrations in all districts of the Malwa region in Punjab to protest against the alleged anti-peasant polices and the land acquisition ordinance of the Union government.
The protests were also reportedly held at Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Sangrur and Mansa. In Bathinda, farmers and labourers blocked a lane of the Bathinda–Mansa road near the inter-state bus terminus (ISBT). ORGANISATIONS
The farmers, who joined the protest, belonged to organisations including BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan), BKU (EktaKrantikari), BKU (EktaDakaundha), Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, Punjab Kisan Union, Dehati Mazdoor Sabha, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, Pendu Mazdoor Union and Mazdoor Mukti Morcha.
Due to the blockade one lane of the road, traffic had to be diverted on to the other lane.
The protesters raised slogans in favour of their demands and sought withdrawal of the proposed amendments in the land acquisition bill and the implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission on minimum support prices (MSP) of crops. They also raised slogans against the proposed unbundling of the Food Corporation of India, alleged diluting of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the stray cattle menace and demanded 10-marla plots to landless people in villages.
‘STOP ARRESTING DEBT-RIDDEN FARMERS’
In Moga, hundreds of farmers, protested outside the deputy commissioner’s office. The protesters also blocked traffic symbolically and raised antigovernment slogans.
The leaders of farmers and labourers asked the government to stop arresting farmers and agriculture workers who were unable to pay their debt. The protesters submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner.
