Ludhiana residents, traders protest against farm Acts

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 12

In support of the ongoing farmers’ protest, farmers, residents and members of various trade organisations staged protests at various locations in the district today.

They staged protests near Bharat Nagar Chowk, Reliance fuel pump on Dugri Road and some other parts of the district, demanding from the Central Government to withdraw the farm laws.

A number of people gathered near the BSNL office at Bharat Nagar Chowk to protest against the “pro-corporate and anti-people” policies of the Narendra Modi-led Central Government while supporting the ongoing struggle of the farmers.

AITUC vice-president, DP Maur said: “Foreign goods were boycotted and burnt during the freedom movement. Continuing that tradition, in this second struggle for independence from corporates and communalists, all products of Jio are being boycotted as per the programme initiated under the farmers’ struggle. It has been started with burning of Jio SIM cards.”

Dr Arun Mitra from the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development said the farm laws were not for the betterment of farmers but a way to hand over the agriculture business to corporate houses. He, along with other protesters warned the government to address the issue by accepting demands of the farmers.

Meanwhile, a group of residents marked protests against the new farm laws at Reliance pump on Dugri Road. They raised slogans against the Centre and demanded that the farm Acts be repealed.

Harnek Singh Gujjarwal, a member of the Jamuhari Kisan Sabha, Punjab, said: “Farm unions have given a call to protests at all toll plazas and fuel stations of Reliance company today. We along with trade unions and residents have marked our protest in the city against the farm

laws. We demand from the Centre to roll back the farm laws without any further delay.”

Meanwhile, many people from rural as well as city areas are going to participate in the farmers’ protest on the Singhu and Tikri borders.

“A number of farmers from Ludhiana have already gone to attend the protest on the Delhi borders. Besides, groups of residents from various villages of Ludhiana are also going to attend the protest in shifts and they would also carry goods for the protesting farmers,” Harnek said.

Jio SIM cards burnt in protest

AITUC vice-president, DP Maur said: “Foreign goods were boycotted and burnt during the freedom movement. Continuing that tradition, in this second struggle for independence from corporates, all products of Jio are being boycotted as per the programme initiated under the farmers’ struggle. It has been started with the burning of Jio SIM cards.”