Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Eighteen farmer unions Monday arrived at the offices of deputy commissioners and sub-divisional magistrates at several places in Punjab with trolleys laden with paddy stubble to demand withdrawal of legal action, including FIRs, and rollback of the fine on farmers for burning crop residue on their farms. Lodging the protest at 34 places in Punjab, they also demanding a long-term solution for paddy straw.
The call for the four-hour protest — from 12 noon till 4 pm, was given by the 15 unions affiliated to Samyukt Kisan Morcha (apolitical) and 18 other farmer unions. At many places, they were stopped on the outskirts and were told not to bring stubble into the city. In Ludhiana, at least three trollies were seen heading towards the city area to protest outside the DC’s office.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Sarwan Singh Pandher, convenor of 18 farm unions, said, “We are protesting against the FIRs lodged against the farmers for burning stubble; huge environmental compensation imposed on them; and red entries in the land records (a red entry may get in the way of farmers when taking loans from banks against the said land, mortgaging it or selling it).”
Police on Sunday had said that over 930 FIRs had been registered against farmers for burning stubble since November 8, besides a fine of Rs 1.67 crore imposed in 7,405 cases.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
