Continuing their protest against the government for using force on agitating farmers, farmers associated with Bharati Kisan Union (Ekta Ugraha) kept toll plazas in the district free for commuters for the second consecutive day on Sunday.
Farmers ensured passage of vehicles of passengers without paying toll fee at Kathunangal toll plaza on Amritsar-Gurdaspur national highway, Chhidan toll plaza on Amritsar-Attari national highway and Mananwala toll plaza on Amritsar-Jalandhar national highway.
Gurdaspur BKU (U) president Lakhwinder Singh Manjiawali said, “Farmers have made 22 toll plazas in 13 districts of the state free for commuters as part of the protest.” He said that the protest will continue until the government accepts the demands of the farmers.
Farmer leaders said the union will wait for the outcome of the leaders’ meeting with representatives of the central government before announcing the next action plan. He said that the protest at the toll plaza will continue until the next program is announced by the senior leadership.
District President (Amritsar) Kashmir Singh Dhangai said, “The use of tear gas shells and rubber bullets on peacefully protesting farmers is illegal. We condemn the violence and demand the government to fulfill the demands that it had accepted during the last Delhi agitation.” He said that the government has retained Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni in the Union Cabinet, while His role in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence was reportedly evident.
Farmer leaders said the absence of MSP on various crops has pushed farmers into a debt trap as input costs exceed the output price. He said that farmers and farm laborers are greatly affected by institutional and non-institutional loans, which is even forcing them to commit suicide.
