Protests held across Punjab and several states; farmers demand withdrawal of land pooling policy

Amritsar, 15 July (H.S.):Responding to the call of the Desh Bachao Morcha, thousands of farmers staged motorcycle rallies across Punjab and several other states on Tuesday to protest against the Central Government's policies and the proposed India-US trade agreement. Large numbers of farmers took to the streets in Amritsar and other districts, claiming that the proposed agreement would adversely affect farmers, labourers, small traders and the common public.

In Amritsar district, farmers from Jandiala Guru, Majitha, Ajnala, Lopoke, Chogawan and Baba Bakala participated in the rally in large numbers. Raising slogans against the Central Government, they alleged that the proposed India-US trade agreement could pose a serious threat to the country's agriculture, dairy sector, oilseed industry and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Farmer leaders argued that if the agreement is implemented, it would further open the Indian market to foreign products, exposing domestic farmers and small industries to stiff competition. They claimed that the biggest impact would be on farmers' income and the rural economy.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said motorcycle rallies were organised in all 23 districts of Punjab, with participation from the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), Azad Kisan Morcha and several other farmers' organisations. He added that similar protests, motorcycle rallies and cycle rallies were also held in Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Delhi and Maharashtra.

During the protest, Pandher challenged the Central Government to hold an open debate on the proposed trade agreement. He urged the government to allow its experts and representatives of farmers' organisations to present facts before the media so that the public could understand the implications of the agreement.

The protesting farmers also demanded that the Punjab Government immediately withdraw its land pooling policy, alleging that it was against the interests of farmers. They warned that if the policy is not revoked, the agitation would be intensified in the coming days.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH