Amid the ongoing farmers’ agitation, farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Sunday gave a four-hour ‘rail roko’ countrywide for March 10 in support of their various demands. They also called upon farmers across the country to reach the national capital on March 6.
The farmer leaders stressed that the agitation will be intensified at existing protest points until their demands are met by the government.
The two farmer leaders made the announcement while speaking in Bathinda’s Balloh village, the native village of farmer Shubhakaran Singh, who died recently during clashes with the Haryana security personnel in Khanauri.
“The farmers from far away states, who cannot reach on tractor trolleys, should head to Delhi by trains and by other means of transport. It will also become clear whether the government allows those farmers to enter (Delhi) who go without tractor trolleys,” Pandher said addressing the gathering at Balloh.
“At Shambhu and Khanauri, the agitation will continue like before and will be further intensified. Our agitation will continue till the demands are met,” he added.
Pandher further said that the ‘rail roko’ protest will be held in the country from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm on March 10 to pressure the government to meet the farmers’ demands.
“The Centre is trying to build a perception that the current agitation is limited to Punjab and the fight is led by only two forums. But we want to make it clear that more than 200 outfits in the country are part of the two forums,” he said.
Alleging the Centre does not want to resolve the farmers’ issue, Pandher also accused the BJP of playing divisive politics to win the elections. “Farmers and farm labourers are not on their agenda,” he claimed.
“But our fight will continue. The perception being created that the agitation may die down when the Model Code of Conduct for the polls come into force is not correct. We may have to fight today, tomorrow, but we will continue to fight for our rights,” he said. Pandher also stressed that India should come out of the WTO agreement.
Talking to reporters later, farmer leader Dallewal said, “I want to clarify that our programme of Delhi Chalo stands. We will continue to protest peacefully. We will increase numbers on the borders where we are agitating.
Dallewal further noted that though the Centre has not invited them for a fresh round of talks, they have never said no to talks whenever the government has invited them.
He stated that the sacrifice of 21-year-old Shubhakaran will not go in vain and the struggle will continue until the demands are met.
(With PTI inputs)
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