Breaking: Farmers begin 5-day protest outside Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO’s residence, warns of intensified agitation
Kulwinder Singh
Amritsar (Punjab), September 14, 2026: The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) on Monday began a five-day protest outside the residence of Punjab minister Harbhajan Singh ETO over various demands, including minimum support price (MSP) for crops, the return of farmers’ tractors and issues related to electricity and groundwater.
Addressing the protesters at the start of the demonstration, KMSC chief Sarwan Singh Pandher accused the Punjab government of failing to deliver on issues concerning farmers despite presenting itself as a pro-farmer government. He also alleged that the government was currently unwilling to engage with the organisation for talks.
Pandher said the Aam Aadmi Party had come to power promising MSP for 23 crops but had so far failed to ensure MSP even for five crops, according to the organisation’s assessment.
He also raised the issue of tractors allegedly taken away from farmers after the farmers’ protest at the Khanauri border was forcibly removed. Pandher alleged that AAP MLAs and workers took away farmers’ tractors from the site and said the recovery of those tractors was among the demands behind the ongoing agitation.
Expressing concern over the declining groundwater level in Punjab, Pandher questioned the government’s claims regarding the availability of canal water. He said that despite repeated announcements about providing canal water across the state, the situation on the ground remained different.
On the electricity situation, Pandher criticised AAP leader Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal over claims regarding power availability. He alleged that both farmers and traders were facing difficulties due to inadequate power supply, affecting agriculture and business activity in the state.
Pandher said that if the Punjab government attributed the power shortage to the Centre, it should consider purchasing electricity from private power sources to ensure adequate supply. He also alleged that funds meant for Punjab’s development had been distributed among people and claimed that the state’s debt burden had left the government unable to purchase additional power.
Pandher also criticised the BJP and the Centre over claims regarding the opening of border trade with Pakistan. He said that BJP leaders’ promises of reopening cross-border trade amounted to making promises similar to what he described as false assurances regarding the Kartarpur Corridor.
Commenting on a possible alliance between the Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP, Pandher criticised the SAD for simultaneously claiming to represent the Panth and considering an alliance with the BJP, which he described as having an RSS-oriented ideology.
The KMSC said the current phase of its agitation will continue from September 14 to September 18 at different locations.
Pandher warned that if the Punjab government does not agree to hold talks or address the farmers’ demands after September 18, the organisation will intensify the agitation.