Farmers announce nationwide Rail Roko on October 3
Wrestler Phogat joins farmers at Shambhu as protest hits 200-day mark
HARISH MONGA
Ferozepur, August 31, 2024: The Kisan Andolan 2, ongoing since February 13, has reached its 200th day, drawing a massive turnout of farmers and women from across the country at Shambhu and Khannuri borders. The movement, led by Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), saw international wrestler Yinesh Phogat at the protest site.
During the felicitation by SGPC members during her visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Friday, Wrestler Vinesh Phogat had announced to participate in the farmers’ protest at Shambhu and Khanauri borders on Saturday on the completion of 200 days of the protest.
Vinesh Phogat who hails from a farming family with only a few acres of land, emphasised that the farmers’ demands were genuine and deserved the government's attention. Extending her support to farmers, she said, "I am your daughter, full support to the farmers' movement."
On this occasion, senior leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal announced a nationwide two-hour rail roko protest on October 3, demanding justice for the Lakhimpur Kheri massacre, where five farmers were killed by Ashish Mishra, son of former Minister of State for Home, Ajay Mishra Teni.
The leaders also highlighted the lack of basic amenities such as health facilities, electricity, water, and sanitation at the protest sites, urging the Punjab government to address these issues promptly. They warned that failure to do so would result in the blockade of Gagan Chowk, Rajpura, on September 14.
Additionally, the farmers plan to hold a Kisan Mahapanchayat in Jind on September 15 and in Pipli on September 22. They have also scheduled a joint conference before the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections to strategize further actions.
Farmer leaders, including Satnam Singh Pannu, Jaswinder Singh Longowal, and others, voiced their concerns, emphasizing the urgency for government intervention to alleviate the hardships faced by the protesters.