Chandigarh, 22 July (H.S.): Farmers across Punjab staged protests on Wednesday on the call of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) against the proposed India-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the Punjab Government’s land pooling policy and other pending demands.

During the protest, several toll plazas across the state were made toll-free from noon to 3 pm, allowing vehicles to pass without paying any toll charges.

In Bathinda district, a large number of farmers, including women, gathered at toll plazas located at Jeeda, Lehra Bega, Balluana, Jassi Bagwali and Shekhpura. The protesters raised slogans against the Union Government and demanded the cancellation of the proposed India-US FTA.

They also demanded an adequate supply of urea and DAP fertilisers and the withdrawal of the recent increase in the prices of petrol, diesel and domestic cooking gas.

In Ludhiana, the Ladhowal, Gullal and Chowkimann toll plazas were also made toll-free for three hours. Farmer leaders alleged that the Union Government was implementing pro-corporate policies while ignoring the demands of farmers, labourers and employees.

During the protest, internet services were reportedly suspended at some toll plazas, while the mobile numbers of motorists passing through the plazas were also recorded. The farmers said that action would be taken if toll charges were later deducted automatically from any vehicle’s FASTag account.

Farmers also staged a dharna at the Ladpalwan toll plaza on the Pathankot-Amritsar road and allowed vehicles to pass without paying toll.

Balwinder Singh, Majha president of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, said that anyone whose toll was deducted through FASTag should contact the Morcha. He warned that the agitation would be intensified if such deductions were made.

Farmer leaders claimed that the proposed India-US FTA could cause major losses to Punjab’s agriculture and dairy sectors. They also alleged that the Union Government had not made the terms of the proposed agreement public.

The protesters also opposed the Punjab Government’s land pooling policy, asserting that farmers would not hand over their fertile agricultural land to the government under any circumstances.

The farmers further condemned the alleged paper leaks related to NEET and other competitive examinations, as well as the police lathicharge on protesting students in Delhi.

They warned that the agitation would be intensified in the coming days if the Union and Punjab governments failed to seriously consider the demands concerning farmers and the general public.

Police and district administrations made extensive security arrangements across the state. The protests remained largely peaceful, and no major untoward incident was reported.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH