Farmers heading towards Patiala to ask questions to PM, stopped at Toll Plaza, to continue protest at Shambhu border
Farmers heading towards Patiala to ask questions to PM, stopped at Toll Plaza, to continue protest at Shambhu border
Protest to continue till demands are accepted
Ferozepur, May 23, 2024: The Patiala was turned into a fortress ahead of PM Modi’s visit, with as many as 5,500 police and security personnel on duty, as farmers continued with their protests at entry points. It was a kick-start of BJP’s Lok Sabha elections 2024 campaign in Punjab on Thursday evening at Patiala.
Among the 12 demands charged, the major demands of the farmers are release of three farmers held by Haryana police, and guarantee for MSP.
Earlier, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM)’s non-political and political factions, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU, Ugrahan) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), called for demonstrations against PM Modi and said they would show him black flags during his visit to Punjab. The farmer unions gave a call to protest at five entry points to Patiala at Phaggan Majra on Sirhind Road, Asarpur Chupki at Patran Road, Gurdwaras Parmeshar Dwar Sangrur Road , Rakhra Mandaur at Nabha Road, Khaasian at Pehowa Road.
All 13 seats of Punjab will go to polls in June in the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024.
The farmers after lifting the dharna from rail tracks, by holding the huge congregation at Shambhu and other borders, on completion of 100 days, started on February 13, were stopped forcibly at Dhreri Jattan toll, while heading towards Patiala to ask questions to the Prime Minister Modi on his visit today to address the rally in favour of Perneet Kaur a candidate of BJP for Lok Sabha elections.
The protesting farmers also prevented buses carrying BJP supporters from entering PM Modi’s rally venue in Patiala.
Added here, earlier also the PM Modi has faced the annoyance of farmers during a Punjab visit for the formal inauguration of PGI Satellite Centre. In 2022, Modi’s convoy was delayed due to a farmers’ protest on a flyover near Ferozepur. Due to the blockade, Modi had to cancel plans to address a BJP rally ahead of the Assembly polls.
The farmers while clearing the railway track had made it clear that our protest would continue till the acceptance of our demands for release of three farmers in Haryana and guarantee for MSP for 23 crops as per the recommendations of Dr Swaminathan besides other demands.
Farmer leader Pandher said, PM rally has finished and we have not been given any time to ask questions, we are now moving back to Shambhu border to continue with our protest.
