Farmer bodies differ on road blockade protest

BATHINDA/AMRITSAR: As the call of ‘chakka jam’ by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) entered the second day on Thursday, differences cropped up among the farmer unions on the launch of an indefinite road blockade in Punjab.

President of Punjab Kisan Union (PKU) Ruldu Singh said: “Blocking roads for five hours as a symbol of protest against the Punjab government is justified. But to continue it for an indefinite period shows the immaturity of the leadership. No organisation can win people’s confidence by disturbing the daily life of a common man,” said Ruldu, who was a key member of the SKM during the farmers’ protest on the Delhi border.

The protesting farmers laid siege to toll plaza at Kathunangal village on the Amritsar-Pathankot National Highway and facilitated vehicles to pass through the plaza without paying tax.