Hindustan Times (Chandigarh)

SKM appeals to farmers to intensify agitation

- Avtar Singh

SANGRUR: Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders on Monday appealed to the people of Punjab not to shift their focus from the ongoing agitation against the three agricultur­e laws amid coronation of new chief minister in the state, terming the infighting in the ruling Congress a scramble for political power.

The morcha, which has been protesting at the Barnala railway station for 355 day, said the farmers’ movement has nothing to do with “political games”.

“All this noise is a part of a plan to win the elections with new faces in 2022. Due to the government’s anti-people and pro-corporate policies, the economic condition of people is deteriorat­ing by the day,” SKM leader Manjit Singh Dhaner said.

He also asked the protesters to focus on preparatio­ns for the Bharat Bandh on September 27 and appealed the youth to join a five-day kabaddi tournament at the Delhi borders from Wednesday. Bhupinder Singh Longowal, state committee member of the Kirti Kisan Union, said they were holding meetings and rallies at villages to mobilise the local residents to participat­e in Bharat Bandh to oppose the new agricultur­e laws.

‘Act against those who assaulted Akalis’

The Akali Dal asked the SKM to initiate action against their activists for heckling party workers on the night of September 16, when they were on way to take part in the party’s protest of September 17 in New Delhi. “Many of those harassed were active participan­ts in the farmers’ protest and some even contribute­d materially,” said SAD leader Prem Singh Chandumajr­a.

 ?? HT PHOTO ?? Members of farmer unions staging a protest at the railway station in Barnala on Monday.
HT PHOTO Members of farmer unions staging a protest at the railway station in Barnala on Monday.

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