Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers launch Jail Bharo Andolan over agricultural ordinances

Tribune News ServiceAmritsar, September 7A large number of farmers, including women, under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KSMC), came forward to give their arrest against three agricultural ordinances, recently promulgated by the Union Government here on Monday.The agitation was part of the state-wide Jail Bharo Andolan commenced by the committee. Caring two hoots for their safety in the current Covid-19 condition, a large number of farmers took part in the agitation.They did not even follow protocols like social distancing and wearing masks. They came in packed buses and other vehicles. Holding banners and buntings, they raised slogans against the NDA government and its alliance partner SAD.A 51-member jatha asked the police to arrest them. However, the police refused to arrest them. Addressing them, Sarwan Singh Pandher, general secretary of the committee, said ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ was today held in districts of the state. He said the agitation would continue till October 1, coinciding with the Parliament session.He said the three agriculture ordinances passed by the Union Government like amendment in the Essential Commodities (EC) Act to deregulate inter-state trade in agricultural commodities and provide a regulatory framework for contract farming were anti-farmers. He demanded that these must be repealed at the earliest.He said the Narendra Modi-led Union Government was continuing with its agenda to privatise state-owned departments like the Railways, LIC, etc. It was also moving towards the centralisation of PSPCL and agriculture.He flayed the SAD for endorsing the policies of the NDA. He said federalism was the main agenda of the SAD on which it had once fought elections.

The Tribune

2020-09-08