Protest against not lifting paddy: Punjab farmers, arhtiyas, rice millers to hold ‘chakka jam’ for 3 hours tomorrow

The farmer organisations met with both arhtiya associations and sheller owners under the banner of the United Kisan Morcha. In the meeting which lasted for about two-and-a-half hours, they agreed that if they do not fight together, not only the agricultural crisis will compound but also other businesses associated with it would suffer, according to a statement issued by the United Kisan Morcha.

The leaders suggested that another movement on the lines of Delhi border kisan agitation should be started to put pressure on the Centre and the state.

Balbir Singh Rajewal, the leader of the United Kisan Morcha, said the Morcha has decided to bring together all the organisations related to agriculture on one platform and organise a movement to save farming in Punjab.

Labourers spread paddy grain for drying in the sun, at a grain market in Patiala, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (PTI Photo)

Rajewal said, “On October 13, traffic will be blocked from 12 noon to 3 pm in Punjab, while on October 14, a joint meeting of all the state’s organisations, including employee and labour outfits, will be held to decide the future strategy of the struggle. If the need arises, a massive agitation would be launched in the state along the lines of the kisan agitation of 2020-21.”

He said that the state warehouses are full of rice. Paddy is not being lifted from the mandis in the state. Rajewal alleged that paddy is sown for other states. The Centre should help the state, he said in the statement.

Tarsem Saini, the leader of millers’ association, alleged that as far as PR 126 rice seeds are concerned, the farmers are being taken for a ride with the connivance of the officials of the Mandi Board and procurement agencies. “PR 126 (hybrid seeds) will not be procured at all,” he said in the statement.

Arhtiya association leaders Ravinder Singh Cheema and Vijay Kalra alleged that the government wants to finish off the arhtiyas.