Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers defy Covid curbs, take out protest marches in Sangrur, Barnala

Hundreds of farmers took out marches in Barnala and Sangrur districts on Saturday to protest the state government’s decision to impose a weekend lockdown for curbing the spread of coronavirus. Despite the farmer leaders’ appeals to shopkeepers, shops remained closed in both towns. In Barnala, the farmers assembled at the city railway station parking and took out a protest march through the markets, while in Sangrur, supporters of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha gathered near the railway station before marching through the town’s markets. Farmers associated with the BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) marched from Sangrur grain market to smaller markets. Also read: 12 states account for over 80% of active coronavirus cases“All farmer and labour unions participated in the protest against lockdown. Though we have been speaking against the lockdown since last year, the people of the state are not in a position to face another lockdown and it should be ended. The government should provide health services and recruit doctors to protect people from Covid-19,” said Balour Singh Channa, the Barnala block chief of BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan). Asked about the poor response from shopkeepers, Channa said, “We are trying to motivate shopkeepers and educate them about the anti-people policies of the government.” Stop intimidating traders: Patiala farmers The call by farmers unions to oppose the lockdown failed to evoke any response from traders as shops across Patiala district remained shut on Saturday. The farmers urged traders to open their shops, but they did not relent. Heavy police force was deployed in commercial areas asking people to adhere to Covid restrictions. Jang Singh, a farmer leader, said: “The traders are reluctant to open their shops fearing fines and police cases. We warn the government to stop intimidating shopkeepers,” he said. (With inputs from HTC, Patiala)

Hindustan Times

08-05-2021

Chandigarh