Kin of Farmers Who Died During Kisan Andolan Receive Compensation

On Sunday, compensation cheques were given in Faridkot to the families of the 41 farmers from Bathinda and Faridkot who died during the Kisan agitation at the Delhi borders last year.

This information was given by Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a senior leader of the non-political Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the state president of BKU Ekta Sidhupur, This SKM organization was established on July 10 after a few farmer unions had a difference of opinion with SKM over a few issues.

The Kisan agitation at the Delhi borders last year resulted in the deaths of around 700 farmers, but their families have still not received compensation.

The Punjab Congress government at the moment had promised Rs 5 lakh compensation per family.

Dallewal stated that Bhagwant Mann, the chief minister of Punjab, met with SKM non-political leaders on August 2.

"We reminded the government about the compensation and jobs during the discussion. The government agreed to our demands and promised to provide all affected families with financial help by September 5. The government on Sunday gave the compensation money to 20 people in the Faridkot district and 21 households in the Bathinda district as part of this commitment," he said.

He further said that the government had promised to drop any charges filed against farmers for burning stubble or for organizing protests against the now-repealed farm rules. On September 7, a review meeting with the government has been scheduled, according to Dallewal.

A flag march was held on Sunday in Sadiq village in the Faridkot district as part of the ongoing preparations for the Delhi protest on August 22, according to a farmer leader. Meetings at the village level are being held in preparation for the August 22 dharna over pending farmer demands. On August 13, the day before the Delhi dharna, a significant conference will also be held at Dana Mandi Sadiq.