PATIALA: A large number of combine operators from Punjab might move towards Delhi borders and join the farmers’ protest against the three central farm laws, said one such operator who is coordinating the movement.
Though there is no union or organisation of combine harvesters in Punjab, nearly all of them are farmers and attached to farm unions. On Friday, a number of combine operators gathered at Moonak grain market in Sangrur district to move towards Delhi, but they postponed their plan to take along many other combine operators in one go. “We have decided to join the protest on Delhi borders and planned to move with more than 250 combines. These combines will reach borders of Delhi, including Tikri and Singhu. On Friday, we could not move as some combine operators could not reach. Later, we decided to take along other operators too and, thus, we contacted many of them. It will cost each combine operator Rs 8,000 to reach Delhi and return from there. Many operators are also farmers. Where would we use these combines if farming comes under corporate houses?” said Ranveer Singh, a combine operator from a village in Sangrur who is among the people who are coordinating the movement.
BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) leaders hailed the initiative. “This will be a boost go the farmers protest,” BKU (Ekta Ugrahan} general secretary Sukhdev Singh said.