Punjab farmers condemn lathi charge on farmers in Haryana, demand Dy.CM’s resignation, extend protest
Ferozepur, October 7, 2020: On 14th day of 'rail roko' protest, the farmers sitting on railway tracks today condemned the lathi charge and use of water cannons on farmers protesting in Haryana against the three Agriculture Laws. Later on, they burn the effigies of Chief Minister Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar and Prime Minister Narender Modi.
The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee on Wednesday had turned down the Central government's request for a meeting on October 8 to resolve their concerns regarding the farm laws and extended the protest till October 11.
The railways had already cancelled the special passengers’ trains as a precautionary measure. However, an appeal has been made by the CM to the farmer protesters to clear the track at least for the goods train for the convenience of transportation of essential commodities.
The three laws - Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance 2020; Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020; and Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act - were passed recently by Parliament.
Addressing the protesters, Satnam Singh Pannu, State President and others said, the centre government is not serious about a dialogue with the farmers. The demand was to have a talk with the PM and not Secretary level officer, who is not in a position to cancel the three ordinances. Moreover, the farmers from Haryana have not been invited to talk in the meeting.
He also condemned the lathi charge by Haryana police on a peaceful protest by the 17 farmers outfits.
Demanding the cancellation of all the three Bills, Pannu said, the Punjab government should call a special session and pass a resolution to cancel the Bills besides demanding the resignation of Deputy CM Dushyant Chutala.