Tribune News Service
Amritsar, June 26
On a call given by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, a large number of farmers on Saturday took out a protest march and went up to the Governor’s house in Chan
File photo
BATHINDA/AMRITSAR: Nineteen days into the Delhi border protests against the three central agri laws, the number of farmers from Punjab heading for the national capital is continuing to rise, said a source in the state police.
Data showed that 7,500-8,000 persons have been moving from Punjab to Delhi through Shambhu, Khanouri, Sardulgarh and Dabwali borders daily over the past two-three days, against 3,500-4,000 persons coming back, the source said. Some are even reaching Delhi for a “taste of adventure,” to join the stir as well as have a feel of the national capital and experience rides on the Metro and look for a chance to be seen on television news channels.
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A large number of farmers are leaving for the sites as many protesters, who have been camping in protest for over a fortnight, are returning home to work on the fields. Hundreds of activists had left for the Delhi border on Wednesday. Many others left on Thursday from Mansa, Bathinda, Barnala and Sangrur districts.
JANDIALA: Unimpressed with the government’s offer of tweaking the three agri-marketing laws, the farm unions plan to send more jathas to the Delhi border to add impetus to the struggle. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) chief Satnam Singh Pannu told TOI on Wednesday: “The Centre wants not to resolve the farmers’ issue but create a rift between the agitating bodies. We won’t let anyone defame the agitation or divide us.”
KMSC state general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said all offers were meant to buy time, when farmers had made it clear that they wouldn’t settle for anything less than scrapping of these laws. He said the invitation for talks should have gone to all the farm unions of the country and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have sat with them since he had the authority to scrap the laws.