Flood-hit farmers start protest near Punjab CM’s Sangrur house, homes of AAP ministers and BJP leaders

The protesters staged a dharna outside the house of tourism minister Anmol Gagan Mann in Kharar. They have also staged a day-night dharna outside Dreamland Colony in Sangrur where Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has rented accommodation.

“We are seeking a flood relief package worth Rs 10,000 crore for Punjab. It is really strange that neither the state nor the Union government is bothered about the flood relief package for Punjab, which is a natural calamity-hit area. Hence, farmers have no choice but to come out on roads,” said Jagmohan Singh Patiala, general secretary, BKU Dakaunda.

Patiala said, “The Punjab government is promoting the state as a tourism hub irrespective of the fact that flood-hit farmers are protesting on roads and their concerns need to be heard first of all”.

Buta Singh Burjgill, president, BKU Dakaunda, added, “We want the government to announce a relief package for the state, or we will have another meeting on September 13 to decide the next course of action”.

Farmers are demanding a compensation of Rs 70,000 per acre instead of the current offer of only 6,800 per acre. They are also seeking a Rs 10 lakh compensation for the deceased, compared to the state government’s offering of Rs 3 lakh, Rs 1 lakh for cattle loss, and Rs 5 lakh for houses damaged due to floods.

In Sangrur, farmers had first gathered near the main chowk on the Sangrur-Patiala road Monday and later moved towards Dreamland Colony where they started the three-day-long dharna by erecting tents. “We will be sleeping overnight on roads,” said Gurmeet Singh Bhuttiwal, a BKU Dakaunda leader, from outside the colony.

Narain Dutt, a member of Punjab Inqlaabi Manch, voiced concerns about Bhagwant Mann’s reluctance to seek a flood relief package from the Central Government. The Punjab chief minister has said the state has enough funds.

Farmers have also staged dharnas outside the houses of BJP state president Sunil Jakhar in Abohar, BJP leader Kewal Dhillon in Barnala, Captain Amarinder Singh in Patiala, and at various other locations in the state.

This is not the first time SKM is protesting. In August, 16 farmers unions had protested but they were denied permission to protest in Chandigarh on August 22. Additionally, five unions led by farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal had also staged protest rallies in Mohali and district headquarters in August and September.

The 16 farmers’ unions have also announced plans for a rail roko from September 28 to September 30 if no relief package is announced by the government.