Gurdaspur, October 21, 2024: Farmers protesting the lack of crop purchases in Gurdaspur’s grain markets blocked the Gurdaspur to Dera Baba Nanak Kartarpur Corridor road during a United Kisan Morcha meeting.
According to reports, they have raised slogans against both the Punjab and central governments.
Farmers explained that the road leading to Kartarpur Sahib was chosen for the protest because it attracts visitors from across the country and abroad.
Our aim is to amplify the message to the central government through this strategic location, they said.
The protesters initially closed the road for one hour, warning that if their demands are not met soon, they may escalate their actions by completely blocking the intersection.
Earlier, Punjab farmers from BKU (Doaba) and BKU (Ekta Sidhupur) announced plans for an indefinite blockade of the national highway in Phagwara, starting October 21 over slow pace of paddy purchases in mandis throughout the state.
However, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is actively addressing the issue to ensure fair and timely procurement for farmers.
Recently, he met with the Union Food Minister to discuss the challenges faced by farmers in securing the sale of their paddy.
During this meeting, Mann talked about the need for adequate support from the central government and sought solutions to expedite the procurement process.
The Punjab government is also taking steps to enhance communication with farmers, reassuring them that their grievances will be addressed and also held a meeting with farmers.
To combat the ongoing crisis, Mann’s administration is working on streamlining operations in grain markets and ensuring that procurement agencies are well-equipped to handle the influx of produce.
