Talks fail, sugarcane farmers to continue protest in Karnal

The talks between protesting sugarcane farmers and the Haryana government on Saturday failed to reach any conclusion as the farmers are adamant on getting a written assurance from the government on acceptance of their demands.

Led by Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) president Rattan Mann, a group of farmers met a government delegation, comprising Gharaunda MLA Harvinder Kalyan, Karnal deputy commissioner Aditya Dahiya and other officers.

The meeting was held to resolve the issues of pending sugarcane payments and delay in construction work of new cooperative sugar mill in Karnal.

The MLA assured the protesting farmers that their demands will be accepted by August 29, but the farmers said they will not end their protest until a written assurance is given to them in this regard.

The farmers also alleged that the MLA and other officers present in the meeting did not behave properly with them.

The farmers threatened to intensify their protest and said they will start a hunger strike from August 16.

Talking to Hindustan Times, farmer leader Rattan Mann said the MLA did not give any written assurance on their demands.

“We will try to meet the chief minister during his visit to Karnal on August 13 and will tell him that the local MLA and the administration were trying to mislead the farmers over the issue,” the Mann said.

He said farmers want a written assurance on their demands, including clearance of all pending payments of sugarcane growers by the end of this month, floating of tender for construction of new sugarmill before August 29 and a meeting of farmers with the chief minister.

Continuing their protest on Saturday, 11 farmers courted arrest.

MLA Kalyan said the farmers were demanding a written assurance, which cannot be given.

Asked why the government could not take action against the private sugar mills, which were not clearing the pending payments of the farmers, he said, “A meeting will be convened soon to resolve the issue.”