Chandigarh, 13 October, 2024: In a massive demonstration, farmers, commission agents, and rice millers from the districts of Malerkotla, Ludhiana, Sangrur, and Barnala took to highways and railway tracks, protesting against the slow pace of paddy procurement.
According to reports, from noon to 3 p.m., protesters blocked roads and squatted on the Dhuri-Ludhiana railway track.
The key issues raised by the protesters included the non-allotment of mandis to rice millers, the slow procurement process, delays in lifting the harvested paddy, inadequate supply of DAP fertilizer, and what they claimed was harassment of paddy growers over minor allegations. These concerns prompted widespread protests across the state.
Farmers, supported by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, organized a statewide road blockade, while the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) initiated a ‘rail roko’ protest. Major traffic disruptions were reported in Ludhiana, including areas such as Samrala, Kohara, Khanna, Raikot, Doraha, Payal, and Jagraon. Police diverted traffic to alternative routes to manage the situation.
The protests come ahead of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s scheduled meeting with Union Minister Prahlad Joshi on October 14 to discuss pressing paddy procurement issues, including the concerns of rice millers and commission agents. In an effort to address these grievances, the state has released ₹573.55 crore to ensure timely payment to farmers during the kharif marketing season.
Led by leaders from their respective unions, speakers expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the procurement process. Amarjit Singh Rohno of BKU Dakaunda criticized the government’s inaction and openly challenged authorities over the stubble-burning issue. “We will burn the stubble in our fields after informing the authorities. Let them try to stop us,” he declared defiantly.
