Punjab farmers continue protest on Day 4, tension in some areas

Tension prevailed in some parts of Punjab as farmers continued their protest for the fourth day and tried to block other farmers and traders from carrying vegetables, fruits and milk to urban areas.

Local traders clashed with protesting farmers in Gidderbaha town in south-west Punjab on Monday as the latter tried to stop the traders from selling agricultural produce.

Police intervened and two farmers were booked.

Reports from other places also said that protesting farmers forced other farmers and traders from carry vegetables and milk to urban areas. This led to tension at some places.

The protesting farmers continued to dump agricultural produce and milk in vegetable markets and on roads to show their protest, while in some villages and towns, they set up temporary stalls to sell the vegetables at throwaway prices.

Vegetable prices soar

Its impact at vegetable markets was visible as prices surged in absence of adequate supply.

In the past couple of days, prices of some veggies — especially green vegetables — have gone up. Tomato prices have increased from Rs 10 per kg a week ago to Rs 20-25, said a seller at Sector 26 in Chandigarh. Vegetable vendors have also cautioned consumers of further hike in price in the face of scarcity as the 10-day protest progresses.

“We are not getting vegetables. Tomatoes have been coming from Himachal Pradesh, but the supply of green vegetables that we used to get from parts of Punjab and Haryana has been hit,” said Janak Prasad, a vegetable seller at Phase 7, Mohali.

The farmers are protesting against the policies of the central government towards them.

The farmers, under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), started a 10-day protest on Friday in seven states, imposing a blockade on movement of agriculture produce and milk from rural areas to urban centres.

(with agency inputs)