Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers, arhtiyas protest against new agri laws in Haryana

Chandigarh: Protesting against the central government’s three farm sector-related ordinances and rise in diesel prices, farmers on Monday took out tractor rallies in several parts of Haryana. At some places, arhtiyas (commission agents) also joined the rally. Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), Haryana took out tractor rallies in Ambala, Yamunanagar and Kurukshetra districts and submitted a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sub-divisional magistrates (SDM) of all blocks of the three districts. The memorandum demanded withdrawal of all the new ordinances and lowering the prices of diesel. BKU (Haryana) president Gurnam Singh Charuni said, “The government has brought three ordinances, which are a threat to the farmers and marketing board. Rather than guaranteeing the farmers of 100% procurement of crops on minimum support price, the government is working to end the mandi system. These ordinances will severely affect the livelihood of farmers, labourers and arhtiyas.” A similar tractor rally was taken out in chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s constituency, Karnal, where farmers and arhtiyas raised slogans against the government. The protest was led by Rajender Arya Dadupur, state president of Haryana Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan, and Rajnish Choudhary, president of Karnal Arhtiya Association. Later, they handed over a memorandum addressed for the PM to SDM Narender Kumar Malik. The leaders said the government wants to end the relationship between farmers and ahrtiyas. With these ordinances, farmers, commission agents, munims, small traders and labourers would be adversely affected, they added. In Jind and Kaithal district, several farmers organised tractor rallies, along with arhtiyas, holding black flags. In Kaithal several farmers rising tractors tried to enter the mini-secretariat, but following police intervention, only one tractor was allowed and farmers submitted their memorandum to the district authority. Hoshyar Singh, a farmer leader, said, “The present Union and state governments are trying to impose black laws on farmers to ruin them. High diesel prices, move to end MSP, online sale-purchase of crops, etc are sure to go against the farmers and arthiyas.” In Jind’s Narwana town also several farmers from the nearby villages held a protest march against the government and raised slogans.

The Times of India

2020-07-21

Chandigarh