Farmers Movement Archive

Farm bodies stir in Ranchi, Congress foot marches statewide against new laws

RANCHI: Jharkhand Rajya Kisan Sangharsh Samanvaya Samiti (JRKSSS), an umbrella organisation of farmer bodies, on Saturday held a kisan mahapanchayat here while Congress took out ‘padyatras’ across the state to demand the withdrawal of three farm laws passed by the Centre. Speaking at the mahapanchayat at Rahe, state convenor of JRKSSS, Sufal Mahto, said, “The farm laws are a death warrant for the farmers and our agitation will continue till they are withdrawn. The Centre’s approach towards the agitation is suppressive from the very beginning.” General secretary of the Jharkhand Rajya Kisan Sabha, Surjeet Sinha, claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government wants the destruction of the farmers’ community. General secretary of Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha, Mahendra Pathak, said, “Farmland, farming and farmers are in danger and we will hold the manahapanchayat across the state to save them.” President of Kisan Mahasabha, Puran Mahto, said the opposition to the farm laws is historic. Meanwhile, Congress’s ‘padyatras’ in the districts to protest the laws was attended by party veterans of the state. State Congress president Rameshwar Oroan said the programme was aimed to portray that the party stands with the farmers. As part of the rally, the Ranchi Mahanagar Congress Committee took out a rally from Harmu to Dibdih More while party workers staged a dharna in front of the BJP state headquarters demanding the withdrawal of the laws. They, however, vacated the area after the intervention of their senior leaders and the administration officials. Later, the protesters held a mass meeting at the Harmu ground. Meanwhile, the Ranchi district rural Congress committee organised a procession from Bapu Vatika in Morhabadi to Raj Bhawan. Congress MLA Bandhu Tirkey said the struggle against the farm laws will continue. He said the system of contract farming must be withdrawn to save the farmers from future problems. Working president of the party, Rajesh Thakur, said the entire farming community of the county is opposing the laws.

The Times of India

2021-02-14

Ranchi