‘Not curse of nature, but result of mismanagement’: SKM seeks judicial probe into floods, announces Oct 8 protest

The morcha stated that the floods were not a curse of nature but the result of mismanagement by rulers. “Compared to the 20th century, the earth’s temperature has risen by 1.2 degrees, causing climate change that brings floods in some areas and drought in others. Since the construction of dams, silt has not been removed, leading to a 20% reduction in their storage capacity. No attention has been given to strengthening river banks and embankments or cleaning rivers and drains. Negligence in releasing water from dams also led to the breaking of three gates at Madhopur works. For this grave situation, the Central government, Punjab government and Bhakra Beas Management Board are blaming each other. The SKM demands a judicial inquiry into the entire matter and legal action against those responsible,” Ugrahan said.

The morcha also sought scrapping of the Dam Safety Act, giving control of rivers to riparian states, and repealing the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. It demanded compensation of ₹70,000 per acre for all farmers, removal of the five-acre limit, and full compensation for approximately 17,000 acres of land in Ferozepur, 10,386 acres in Amritsar and other districts’ low-lying areas.

Further demands included one-time relief of ₹1 lakh per labourer family, ₹25 lakh to the families of deceased persons, ₹1 lakh per animal, ₹20,000 per sheep or goat, ₹10 lakh for collapsed houses and ₹50 lakh per acre for land lost in rivers. The morcha called for arrangements for sugarcane seed for farmers, reclamation of fields and proper rehabilitation of farmers and labourers. It also demanded permanent permission for farmers to remove sand from their fields.

The morcha thanked organisations from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and other states that extended help to Punjab flood victims.

On the issue of stubble burning, the morcha said it does not encourage the practice but will oppose punitive action against farmers forced to burn stubble. The leaders demanded that before acting against farmers, the government must implement the recommendations of the National Green Tribunal, provide machinery for stubble management or pay ₹200 per quintal as expenses.

On the Hoshiarpur case, the morcha demanded that the child’s killer be punished through a fast-track court but condemned blaming the entire migrant labour community for the crime. It said the “Bhaiya Bhajao” campaign should be stopped. Instead, the Punjab government should strictly implement the “Punjab Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act 1979” and ensure verification to prevent crime.

Apart from the presiding panel, the meeting was attended by farmer leaders Balbir Singh Rajewal, Manjit Singh Dhaner, Boota Singh Burj Gill, Dr Satnam Singh Ajnala, Baldev Singh Nihalgarh, Ruldu Singh Mansa, Raminder Singh Patiala, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, Jagmohan Singh Patiala and several others.