NEW DELHI: Farmers in Punjab continue their protests against the government to demand timely paddy procurement and express grievances regarding police actions against stubble burning.
The Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (PKMSC) announced a road blockade, or "chakka jam," in Sangrur, Bhatinda, Moga, Batala, and Gurdaspur.

Aranjeet Singh, PKMSC district president, emphasized the need for the Punjab and central governments to resolve the farmers' issues quickly.
"Both the Punjab government and the central government should find a solution and resolve the issue timely so that the people do not face any problems because of road blockade (chakka jam). We don't want commoners to face any problems. However, if the government is unable to decide anything, we will be forced to block the roads," Singh stated.
Farmers from Jaladhar joined the protest, heading towards Phagwara to block the highway. A senior farm leader highlighted the perceived unfairness in actions against farmers for stubble burning, noting that factories and vehicles also contribute to pollution. "They have taken actions (against farmers) in the name of stubble burning. The pollution is not only because of stubble burning. It also happens due to many vehicles on roads, due to factories. Stubble burning only contributes two to three per cent to pollution levels. The pollution emitted by factories and other things is not even mentioned. Stubble burning is just an excuse to defame the farmers which is unfair. The Punjab government and the central government are alike. They just want to destroy farmers. This is why the protests will go on indefinitely. We will go to Phagwada from Amritsar and block the roads," the leader remarked.
PKMSC General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher criticized the Punjab government for not being transparent about rice stock from the past two years, which remains in godowns.
"The rice stock from last two years is still in the godowns and the rice millers say that they are not ready to bear the loss," he mentioned.
Pandher also expressed disappointment with the lack of intervention from Arvind Kejriwal.
"Kejriwal tweets on everything, but hasn't posted on the issue of paddy procurement. Punjabis have given him such a huge mandate and despite that he has not made attempts to talk to the central government and resolve this issue," he added.
The roadblocks will be organized at four key locations: Sangrur, Moga, Phagwara, and Batla. The protestors have indicated that the blockade will continue indefinitely if their demands are not addressed.