Punjab: Farmers gather in Sangrur, block highway to press their demands

Sangrur (Punjab) [India], October 26 (ANI): Punjab farmers on Saturday gathered in large numbers from Badhrukha in Sangrur district to protest against the government and press on their multiple demands including timely paddy procurement. The protesters have blocked the national highway in Phugwara, Sangrur, Moga, and Batla areas of the state.

The farmers associated with Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) and its sister organisations have started their march to block the Bathinda Chandigarh National Highway near a police post.

Farm leader Jaswinder Soma Ugrahan said that the farmers have blocked the national highway at four places because neither the Punjab government nor the central government can find a solution to their problem.

"Today we blocked the national highway at four places. The central government and the Punjab government are both blaming each other and not finding a solution. The road has been blocked indefinitely. The farmers will sit on the streets until the paddy procurement issue is resolved. Ambulances and children who have exams will be given the way," Ugrahan said.
The farmers will celebrate Diwali on the streets, he said.

"These governments have made us celebrate all our festivals on the streets. This Diwali too has to be celebrated on the streets. If our crops had been sold on time, we would have celebrated all the festivals. But who is paying attention to the farmers?" the farm leader said.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police (SP) Phagwara Rupinder Kaur Bhatti informed that the police have placed a diversion plan while keeping in mind the road blockade being organised by the protesting farmers.

"The protest that is happening today. Keeping in mind the blockade here, we have placed a diversion plan. We have also requested farmers, which they have agreed to, that any emergency service, medical ambulance if someone has to go to the airport or any other important work, will be allowed, there will be no problem for the public and negotiations are going on with us," Bhatti said.
Earlier today, PKMSC General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher informed that the protest is being organised in four locations in the afternoon.

He said that the Punjab government has not been transparent about the rice stock from the last two years that is still in godowns.

"The rice stock from last two years is still in the godowns and the rice millers say that they are not ready to bear the loss," he said while taking a dig at the Punjab government for not being transparent about the same issue before the public.
"Kejriwal tweets on everything, but hasn't posted on the issue of paddy procurement. Punjabis have given him such a huge mandate and despite that he has not made attempts to talk to the central government and resolve this issue," Pandher said. (ANI)