Punjab: Debt rising, Centre ignoring real concerns

Punjab: Members of several farmer unions today burnt effigies of the Centre at nine places in Bathinda district against the Centre’s purported use of tear gas shells on peaceful farmers marching towards Delhi from Shambhu border yesterday. Farmers staged a sit-in protest at Rampura, Bhagat, Kothaguru, Jandawala, Sardargarh, Sangat, Talwandi Sabo, Nathana and Maur. Farmer leader Shingara Singh Maan said farmers were struggling for justice and rights related to mounting debt and the government ignoring their concerns. He also criticised the actions of the Haryana government and said farmers were being treated as if they were outsiders in their own country and demanded immediate action to meet farmers’ legitimate demands including loan waiver and legal guarantee of MSP. The protesters said those who unleashed violence against farmers must be held accountable and the injured farmers must be provided free treatment.