Farmers block a toll plaza on Amritsar – Srinagar freeway in opposition to the arrest of their colleagues forward of their tractor march to Chandigarh, at Waryam Nangal village, in Amritsar August 21, 2023
| Photograph Credit score: ANI
A number of farmers leaders had been on August 21 detained in Punjab, a day forward of a slated demonstration by farmers unions from flood-ravaged States of north India. They’re in search of fast flood-relief compensation.
Farmers from throughout the State have begun marching in the direction of Chandigarh to take part within the demonstration. In Sangrur’s Longowal village, police personnel and farmers clashed after an try to breach a police barricade. One farmer later succumbed to his accidents.
The police stated farmers related to BKU Azad Union had been marching in the direction of Badbar Toll Plaza on Barnala-Sangrur Nationwide Freeway to ascertain a picket when police tried to cease them. “When barricades had been breached and tractor trolleys started transferring ahead the police tried to cease them however they pressed on. An Inspector was almost caught below a tractor trolley. The identical trolley ran over an previous farmer Pritam Singh who was critical injured. He died throughout therapy,” stated Sangrur’s Senior Superintendent of Police Surendra Lamba.
Police stated preventive measures are being taken. A senior police officer confirmed to The Hindu that just a few farmer leaders have been detained, nonetheless, the quantity has not been confirmed thus far.
The transfer invited sharp criticism from opposition political events and farmer unions. The Congress celebration accused the ruling Aam Aadmi Social gathering (AAP) authorities of unleashing a “draconian agenda” on the farming neighborhood and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) condemned the motion.
Farmers related to as many as 16 unions from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand have determined to collect in Chandigarh on August 22 to press for fast compensation from the Centre and State governments.
Hitting out on the AAP authorities, Mr. Bajwa stated “Leaders of 16 unions led by the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) have been arrested in several elements of Punjab since Monday morning. The so-called Badlav (change) and pro-farmer authorities has unleashed its draconian agenda once more. This time farmers are on the receiving finish.”
Senior SAD chief Daljit Singh Cheema stated the AAP authorities was sprinkling salt on the injuries of the peasantry by refusing to launch compensation and as a substitute arresting farmer leaders who wished to focus on the distress of farmers, farm labourers and poor sections of society.
Farmers teams are demanding a right away launch of compensation for flood victims in all states affected by floods. . The unions embrace: Kissan Majdoor Sangarsh Committee, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Karantikari), BKU Ekta-Azaad, Azaad Kissan Committee (Doaba), BKU (Bheramke), BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh), BKU (Sir Chotu Ram), Bharti Kissan Majdor Union, Kissan Maha Panchayat (Haryana), Pagri Sambhal Jatta (Haryana), Azaad Kissan Union (Haryana), Progressive Farmer Entrance, Aathrai Kissan Manch, Bhoomi Bachao Mohim, Joint Kisan Sabha and Rashtriya Kissan Sangathan.
Darshan Pal, president of Krantikari Kisan Union stated the arrests had been a denial of constitutional rights. He stated police and the AAP administration had been liable for the dying in Sangrur. Farmers leaders claimed that in Haryana, arrests had been made in Ambala and Kurukshetra districts.
Farmers have been asking the central authorities to announce a particular bundle of ₹50,000 crores for harm attributable to floods in north India, apart from a compensation of ₹50,000 per acre for the lack of crops. They need the federal government to pay ₹1 lakh for the lack of cattle, and preparations to be made for clearing of fields stuffed with sand by floods. A waiver on loans and curiosity for one yr has additionally been demanded.