Farmers Movement Archive

PADDY PROCUREMENT: Haryana farmers end statewide protest after govt assurance

Karnal/Amabala/Yamunanagar/Hisar, October 2After the government assurance to start paddy procurement in the state from Sunday, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Saturday ended their statewide protest.Earlier on Saturday, a large number of farmers protested in Karnal and Kaithal against the delay in paddy purchase.In Karnal, farmers assembled at the grain market and took out a protest march on tractors, trailers, bikes and cars. Heavy police force along with two companies of security forces were deployed near CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s residence in Prem Nagar.The farmers, however, overpowered the police barricades and the police had to use water cannons. The farmers carrying paddy in their trollies staged a dharna outside the CM’s house and also hoisted the BKU flag on the wall he shares with his neighbour. They also erected a tent for an indefinite dharna but after the CM’s announcement to start the paddy procurement from Sunday, they ended the stir.In Kaithal too, the farmers protested outside the residence of Minister of State for Women and Child Welfare Kamlesh Dhanda.Meanwhile, Bhadhur Singh Mehla, district president, IT Cell, BKU (Charuni), said earlier, the government had announced to start the procurement from September 25, later postponed it to October 1 then to October 11, upsetting the farmers.In Ambala city, a large number of farmers marched towards the residence of MLA Aseem Goel. A farmer suffered a leg injury and was rushed to a hospital.Gurnam Singh Charuni, BKU ChiefWary Charuni Will not accept excusesThe govt has agreed to start the procurement from Sunday. But if it comes up with any other excuse and doesn’t start the process, farmers will block roads on Monday. For now, we’ve ended the dharna after the govt assurance.The protesters also staged dharna in front of the main gates of offices of the market secretaries in Ambala Cantonment, Mullana, Naraingarh, Saha, Barara and Shahzadpur. They even locked the gates of the offices of the market secretaries in some mandis.Similarly, in Kurukshetra, the farmers staged a dharna near the residence of Thanesar BJP MLA Subhash Sudha, while in Shahabad they reached in front of the houses of JJP MLA Ram Karan Kala, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Sandeep Singh and CM’s political secretary Krishan Bedi, with paddy-laden tractor-trailers.BKU (Charuni) spokesman Rakesh Bains, who was leading the demonstration in Shahabad, said: “The farmers held peaceful protests against the delay in paddy procurement.”Later in the evening, farmers lifted the dharna after the directions of BKU (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh.In Jagadhri, farmers broke the barricades set up near the house of Education Minister Kanwar Pal Gurjar and staged a dharna on Saturday.“We had to sit on a dharna to get the paddy purchase started in the state,” said Sanju Gundiana, BKU district chief.He said the Centre was intentionally delaying the procurement because it wanted to scrap the MSP system.Similar demonstrations were held outside the residences of state minister Anoop Dhanak, Deputy Speaker Ranbir Gangwa, JJP MLA Jogi Ram Sihag and BJP MLA Kamal Gupta in Hisar and BJP MLA Vinod Bhayana in Hansi on Saturday. In Sirsa, they marched towards the residence of MP Sunita Duggal.

The Tribune

2021-10-03