Raghbir Singh Brar
Faridkot
September 4
Farmers are continuing their jail bharo protest over demands related to PABD Bank and compensation for Shambhu-Khanauri morcha.
BKU Ekta Sidhupur state general secretary Kaka Singh Kotra said a group of 28 farmers courted arrest today. He said the protest started on March 30 against PABD Bank headed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is still on and inconclusive.
The union had started protest at PADB Faridkot after the two brothers from Harinaon village committed suicide due to mounting pressure of loans.
He said farmers want blank cheques taken by the bank to be returned, One Time Settlement scheme on the pattern of commercial banks, and compensation for goods allegedly stolen from Shambhu and Khanauri morchas in presence of senior police officers.
He said these demands were accepted in meetings with the government but not implemented. Instead, farmers coming to Faridkot morcha were arrested and sent to jails.Due to this, the union under SKM non-political leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal started jail bharo protest and farmers are daily courting arrest.
He alleged that now the government is avoiding arresting farmers under this protest.
He also alleged that farmers in jails are getting dirty food and water and many fell ill. He claimed hunger strike by district president Patiala Jagdeep Singh and block president Mamdot Sab Singh inside jail against this is still on.
Referring to village Shero incident, he said before coming to power Bhagwant Mann used to tell farmers to question leaders visiting their villages, but now his government is scared of questions and black flags.
He demanded case against concerned DSP and SHO for alleged beating of youth Mohan Singh and their dismissal from service.He said farmer unions were called to Chandigarh for talks and were arrested, and later their morchas at Shambhu and Khanauri were attacked and goods were looted.He said the jail bharo protest will continue till accepted demands are met.
