Ambala, October 3 (R. Singh):- A fresh confrontation appears to be developing between farmers and the government over the non-procurement of paddy. Regarding difficulties in portal verification and other arrangements related to paddy procurement, Bharatiya Kisan Union founder-president and farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni has released a video appealing to farmers to gather in large numbers at Shaheed Udham Singh Memorial in Shahabad (Markanda) at 10 a.m. on October 5.
Speaking angrily, Charuni alleged that farmers are facing difficulties in selling their paddy at the grain markets due to the lack of portal verification. He accused the government and administration of not taking farmers’ problems seriously. He asked farmers to gather at the same place on October 5 where police had used batons, water cannons and tear gas during the protest on September 22. He also asked farmers to bring sticks with them on October 5, which has raised the possibility of a confrontation between farmers and police. The September 22 protest at Shahabad had involved the use of water cannons and tear gas by police when farmers attempted to block NH-44 over delayed paddy procurement.
Charuni said that leaders visit grain markets for photo opportunities, but the actual problems of farmers are not being resolved.
Reacting to Gurnam Singh Charuni’s video, All India Anti-Terrorist Front national president Viresh Shandilya advised Charuni to refrain from such action. Shandilya said that maintaining law and order is the duty of the police, which functions according to the Constitution, and that there should be no confrontation. Farmers can stage a peaceful protest to press for their demands.
