Farmers Movement Archive

300 Punjab villages at forefront in farmers' agitation

Tribune News ServiceSangrur, November 19The longest protest against the three farm laws continues despite PM Narendra Modi’s announcement on their repeal as farmers want to see written orders in that regard before ending their protest.Unmatched passionI have been here since November 26 last year. Since I do not have both arms, my brother Kuldeep Singh is also here to help me. We will end this protest only after seeing written orders. — Nirmal Singh, ProtesterContinuing the struggle for such a long time stands testimony to the management skills of the residents of around 300 villages across Punjab. In fact, complete dedication of many families to farmers’ cause forms the backbone of such a long protest.Nirmal Singh (69), who does not have both arms, announced on Friday that he would not leave the protest site without seeing written orders for the repeal of the three farm laws.“I have been here since November 26 last year. Since I do not have both arms, my brother Kuldeep Singh is also here to help me. We will end this protest only after seeing written orders,” Nirmal Singh told The Tribune over the phone from Tikri border.Chajjali village farmer Gurjant Singh, whose uncle died during the protest, said his family never skipped the agitation even for a day despite losing their family member.“My father has been at New Delhi border, my brother and I also attend the protest regularly. I request union leaders that they should not end this protest without seeing written orders as regards repealing the farm laws,” he said.Though all villages are contributing to the best of their capacity, there are around 300 villages across Punjab that have been at the forefront. Call it their enthusiasm for protest against the central farm laws or their anger against the BJP government, villagers are still contributing money, ration, milk, clothes and other essentials whenever a call is given through the public address system of the village gurdwara.“The contribution of each farmer is priceless, but there are around 300 villages across Punjab, which are contributing above expectations. We have adequate stock of ration and funds are also coming without any problem,”said Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, general secretary of the BKU (Ugrahan).Apart from contributing for the protests at the Delhi border, residents of these villages have also been arranging milk and ration for protests being organised at toll plazas etc.“Many villages have also maintained attendance registers. Whenever any team leaves for New Delhi, we note down their names in the register,” said Harjinder Singh, a farmer leader from Gharachon village.“Many had predicted decline in protesters’ count during the harvesting of paddy, but the support of all families proved it wrong. Many women from these villages came to the forefront during that period,” said Harjinder Singh, another farmer leader from Lehra.

The Tribune

2021-11-20