Undeterred, farmers ready for long haul

Parveen Arora

tribune news service

Sonepat, December 10

It is the 15th day of their protest at the Singhu border, but farmers are full of enthusiasm. They are prepared for the long haul over the three farm laws passed by the Union Government. Making the NH-44 their battleground, the farmers are not ready to step back and are going to intensify their battle.

“We don’t know how long it will last, but we are ready for a long battle and will go back only after rollback of these laws,” said Amandeep Singh Mann of Bathinda.

Sukhwinder Singh Khalsa of Sirsa said they had rejected the Centre’s proposal and would not move back till the laws were rolled back. “We want a rollback of these laws. Minimum support price should be ensured and a law enacted to this effect. We are ready for any long protest.”

“Farmers across the country are against these laws, but the government is adamant on implementing these only to please some capitalists,” said Jagdeep Singh of Karnal.

Youths had been passing their time by playing cards, smoking hookah, doing sewa in langar or distributing food to people. Sukhdayal Mehla said they passed their time discussing the plans of their leaders. Amit Kumar, involved in traffic management, said they did not want those coming to the protest site to face any difficulty.

Haryanvi and Punjabi singers entertained the crowds. “We have come here after cultivating the wheat crop and have left the responsibility to irrigate our fields to family members and friends,” said Yashbir Singh. Gurparsad Hooda of Rohtak said it was not the protest of Punjab farmers alone, but of farmers from across the country.

SIDELIGHTS

ZP member resigns

Karnal: Zila Parishad (ZP) member from Ward No. 22 and JJP leader Kuljeet Kaur has resigned from the post in protest against the farm laws. “I have resigned as I belong to a farmer family,” she said, adding that she had tendered her resignation to DC Nishant Kumar Yadav. Kuljeet also announced to donate the allowances given to her by the government for the stir.

Murder FIR cancelled

Ambala: The police have cancelled the FIR against farmers over the death of Bharat Singh (72), who died on October 14, the day he participated in the BJP’s tractor yatra in Naraingarh. The farmers booked were associated with the BKU (Charuni). The case was cancelled on the basis of forensic and viscera reports from Madhuban and Khanpur Kalan, respectively. Sources said doctors had given the opinion that Bharat died of heart attack.

Gul Panag backs stir

Sonepat: Actress Gul Panag on Thursday extended support to the farmers’ stir and urged the Centre to rollback these laws. “I stand by the farmers in their protest against the laws that were passed without taking them into confidence. I urge the Centre to hear out what the farmers are saying and speak only in one tune.” Panag said there was a trust deficit, which was the result of the passing of the laws when Covid was at its peak.