Sangrur Farmers Stage Protest Near CM’s Residence, Demands Compensation for Crop Damage

Near Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence in Sangrur district, farmers in large numbers protested over several demands including compensation for damaged crops due to pest attacks and rains entering the 12th day on Thursday. Under the banner of Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), the protestors also threatened to intensify their agitation if the AAP government did not accept their demands.

On Sunday, during the meeting at Lehra, the farmers announced that they will launch an agitation if the government fails to give aid to the farmers, who have suffered losses as they claimed that rain and hailstorm have damaged their standing crops.

Harjinder Singh, press secretary of the BKU Ugrahan, Lehra block said, “We have received information that rain and hailstorm have damaged crops. Farmers are already in huge debt and the government should look into the matter. The authorities should order an immediate evaluation of the damaged crops”.

At Lehra, from around 25 villages farmers attended the meeting and shared their concerns.

Furthermore, on October 9, near Patiala Road, over several demands including the compensation for crop damage due to rains and pest attacks, compensation for land acquisition, Rs 200 per quintal for managing paddy stubble, compensation to dairy farmers whose livestock died due to lumpy skin disease and MSP for crops like moong, maize, and basmati, farmers went on protest for an indefinite period of time.

BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said, “We have started gheraoing one side of the road leading to the residence of the chief minister".

If the AAP government continues with its careless attitude towards these demands, he warned, then, the other side of the road will also be blocked. As a part of their protest, farmers parked their tractor-trolleys on the 3 km stretched road.

Also, the protesters were ready for a long haul to press the chief minister to accept their demands and were carrying rations, mattresses, cooking gas cylinders, fans, and other essentials.