Chandigarh, March 23 — The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called for nationwide protests on March 28, condemning the Punjab Police’s crackdown on farmers protesting at the Khanauri and Shambu borders.
In a statement on Sunday, the SKM’s national coordination committee urged farmers to hold demonstrations in districts across India. “The National Coordination Committee of SKM calls upon the farmers to hold protest demonstrations at districts across India on March 28 against the police repression on farmers’ protest in Punjab,” the union said.
The SKM also appealed to all farmer groups, including Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and SKM (Non-Political), to join forces in “issue-based unity” against the alleged police excesses.
The statement accused the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government of ordering the arrests of 350 farmer leaders and activists, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher. It further alleged that the police dismantled tents and stages at the protest sites and forcibly removed tractor trailers, trolleys, and other equipment.
