Farmer suicide: Unions, arhtiyas continue opposing protests

PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTER CAPT AMARINDER SINGH HASN’T FULFILLED DEBT WAIVER COMMITMENT, THE SUICIDE NOTE SAID

BATHINDA Farmers and arhtiyas (commission agents) continued their protests in Rampura Phul on Saturday with farmers demanding arrest of the commission agent (Arhtiya), Suresh Bahia, accused of abetment to suicide in a case of Tek Singh, 52, of Jeond village, ending his life due to debt.

The commission agents, on the other hand, demanded the cancellation of the case against Bahia. They plan to protest opposite the Rampura City police station on Sunday and threatened to intensify the protests across the state in coming days.

However, the twin protests made life miserable for residents with factions resorting to block the Bathinda – Barnala road at different locations as a mark of protest.

Rampura Phul block president of BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) Sukhdev Singh Javandha said, “The accused is still roaming free. Our other demands like the payment of Rs 10 lakh as compensation, a government job to one member of the family and waiver of farm loan has also not been met. We will intensify the protest.”

Tek reportedly consumed poison to end his life in the wee hours of Wednesday. In the suicide note, he blamed commission agent Suresh Bahia of harassing him over non-payment of debt and also demanded a job for his son.

“Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh hasn’t fulfilled the debt waiver commitment,” the suicide note said.