Unions block NH at 3 spots in Phagwara, Jalandhar

Jalandhar/Phagwara: Farmers protesting delays in paddy procurement blocked three key points along a 20km stretch of the national highway between Phagwara and Jalandhar on Monday, crippling traffic on one of Punjab’s busiest routes, forcing thousands of vehicles to take detours that congested alternative narrow roads as well.
The farmers, angered by what they described as “tardy procurement”, said the situation was worse than past years.There were protests at Sugar Mill Chowk in Phagwara, near Dhanowali railway crossing on Jalandhar’s outskirts, and inside Paragpur village. While Jalandhar’s two blockades were lifted by 5 pm after talks with district administration, the protest in Phagwara continued into the evening.
BKU (Doaba) general secretary Satnam Singh Sahni said: “We have been pleading with officials to ensure timely procurement, but the situation has not improved.” Farmers rejected requests to open one side of the highway, though they allowed ambulances and local traffic through. Doaba Kisan Union president Jangveer Singh said arhtiyas (commission agents) had demanded a cut of 6 to 7 kilograms from each quintal of produce. He said: “Those who agreed saw their crops procured, while others’ produce was untouched. Govt and arhtiyas have pushed farmers to the brink.”