5day farmers’ protest in Patiala begins today

Site allotted by DC is 10km away; unions fine with it, though original plan was march to CM’s house

PATIALA: On the directions of the Punjab and Haryana HC, Patiala administration designated a fresh site for the farmer organisations to start their five-day protest from Friday against the state government. ››

PATIALA: After intervention of the Punjab and Ha ryan a high court, district administration of Patiala designated a fresh site for the farmer organisations to start their five-day protest from Friday against the state government for not fulfilling promises mentioned in the election manifesto.

Earlier, the seven farmer organisations had given a call of protest in front of New Moti Bagh Palace, the family house of chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, but now they will camp for five days at the Mehamudpur grain market on the Pa ti ala-Sangrur road ,10 km away from the city’s jurisdiction. Their prime issues are the failure of the Congress government to write off farm loans and provide a job for every household.

At least 4,000 police personnel have been deployed in the city to maintain law and order. “Roads leading to Patiala from Mehamudpur village have been completely barricaded and security arrangements put in place,” said Kesar Singh, superintendent of police. He added that additional police force, personnel of Punjab Armed Police, commando companies, and IRB battalions have been deployed across the city, mainly at entry points.

Moreover, the district magistrate has already imposed section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in the district, prohibiting assembly of more than four people in an area.

Earlier in the day, hearing a public interest litigation filed by local lawyer Mohit Kapoor, the high court directed the state government to designate a protest site on the outskirts of the city, so as to ensure law ando rder.Inthe PIL, it was alleged that a large of number farmers were expected to reach Patiala for their five-day long protest, which could result in lawlessness.

First, following the court’s directions, the government earmarked 7.5 acres of land for the protest in Sherm a jr a village ,5 km from here, but the farmer organisations rejected the proposal and approachedthe deputy commissioner for a different spot.

They proposed three sites — Polo Grounds in the city, vacant land near Tripuri, and the grain market on the Sirhind-Patiala road — but DC Kumar Amit agreed only to Mehamudpur village.

The farm unions were satisfied .“Representatives of all seven organisations were consulted before going ahead with protest at the Me hamudp ur village. Since it is located on the main PatialaSan gr ur road, we will project our genuine demands in a better way,” said Darshan Pal, a representative of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda).

Meanwhile, the DC and senior police officials reached Mehamudpur to assess security.