Now, panchayats asking non-farmers to join protest or face fine and boycott

SHOPKEEPERS, SALARIED FAMILIES AND MEMBERS OF LANDLESS HOUSEHOLDS ARE BEING ASKED TO COMPULSORILY JOIN THE PROTESTS FOR 3 TO 10 DAYS

BATHINDA : In a bid to mobilise more support for the ongoing agitation against the Centre’s agriculture laws, at least one dozen villages in Punjab’s south Malwa region have issued diktats to villagers, including nonfarmers, to attend dharnas at the Delhi borders or face fines and social boycott.

Non-agriculturalists such as shopkeepers, salaried families and members of landless households are being asked to compulsorily join the protests for 3 to 10 days, it is learnt.

Justifying the ‘forced’ presence at dharnas, sarpanches and village leaders said the farmer unions have been fighting for the community cause and panchayats have a social obligation to support them. They said sending more people was the need of the hour as the Republic Day mayhem has impacted the image of the agitation.

Surjit Singh, sarpanch of Dod village in Faridkot district, said the villagers unanimously passed a resolution on Saturday which clearly asked all residents to contribute by joining the ongoing agitation.

“It was decided that at least 15 persons from the village will stay at the Tikri border for three days. Those do not follow will not only have to pay Rs 1,500 but the violator will be deprived of any assistance from the panchayat, numberdar and farmer unions in future,” he said.

Head of Mansa’s Jodhkian village Sukhwant Singh said a jatha of two residents from each of the nine wards will stay at Tikri border for ten days.

“This decision was taken unanimously by villagers. If anyone refused to go to Delhi border will be asked to submit Rs 500 as supporting unions is a community duty now. Shopkeepers and employees will get no exemption. However, panchayat will relax penalty if a villager has a genuine reason for not visiting Tikri border,” he said.

Mansa’s Nangal Kalan sarpanch Paramjit Singh said the residents are being given duties in the roaster. “Activities of the youth are being watched while in villages, mainly men are going via trains to the Tikri border.”