Punjab farmers on 5-day protest to march toward Assembly today
What's the story
Farmers from the Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) and the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union launched a five-day protest on Sunday, urging the Punjab government to implement an agriculture policy and address other demands. Farmers from different regions of Punjab traveled by buses, tractor-trolleys, and personal vehicles to gather at the Dussehra ground in Chandigarh's Sector 34 for the sit-in. The administration has designated this ground for the protest.
Protest details
Farmers's grievances against Punjab government
The protesters claim that despite being in power for over two years, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has failed to implement the promised agriculture policy. In addition to the implementation of the agriculture policy, the farmers are also demanding promotion of chemical-free crops, compensation for families of farmers who have committed suicide, and measures to curb drug problems in Punjab.
Further demands
Farmers's additional demands
These demands were outlined by Lachhman Singh Sewewala, general secretary of Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union. The protesters plan to march toward the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday to present a memorandum of their demands to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and opposition leaders. Separately, a three-day session of the assembly is set to begin on Monday.