Farmers divided on disrupting milk, veggies’ supply from June 1

MUKTSAR : Opinion among Punjab’s farmers remains divided on whether to extend support to a 10-day nationwide strike that Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh, an umbrella organization of 172 farmers, has called starting June 1.

As part of the stir, farmers will stop the supply of milk and vegetables to markets.

There is silence from some farmer organisations, with others trying to create awareness by holding rallies in villages and blocks. Jagjeet Singh Dalewal, Punjab President, Bharti Kisan Union (Sidhupur), told Hindustan Times over phone, “We sat on a hunger strike in March in Delhi and the government assured us in writing that we will get prices as per the Swaminathan Commission report. Nothing has resulted. We are supporting the strike and have called upon farmers to stop the sale of milk and vegetable.”

“We are getting a good response from farmers. We will support the stir completely ,” he added.

‘STRIKE WILL YIELD NOTHING FOR FARMERS’

Sukhdev Singh Korki Kalan, general secretary, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan), said, “Items like milk and vegetables are perishable in nature and this step will not have any impact on the government. Only the common man will suffer. We are not supporting the protest, but we are not doing anything against it either.”

He added, “At the moment, we are busy protesting against bank officials, who are sending recovery notices.”

Balbir Singh Rajewal said, “Our slogan is Pind Bandh (village shutdown). Across the country, 172 organisations are supporting the strike.”“i am not sure what to do. I am ready to support the strike for the sake of a better future of my kids, ” said Gurpal Singh, a farmer.