Punjab Farmers Rally at Toll Plazas Against Land Pooling, US Trade Pact

Chandigarh: The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) held demonstrations at several toll plazas across Punjab on Tuesday, allowing free passage to vehicles in protest against the Punjab government's land pooling policy and the proposed India-US free trade agreement.

Responding to a call by Jagjit Singh Dallewal, national convener of the SKM (Non-Political) and president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur), farmers gathered at the toll plazas and raised slogans against both the Punjab government and the Centre.

They protests began at 11 am and continued till 4 pm. During the demonstration, the protesters allowed movement of vehicles through toll plazas without any charge.

Farmers said the protests were held at over 40 toll plazas including Kalajhar, Ladhowal, Chahar, Kurali and Dappar.

Farmer leader Jaswinder Singh, speaking at the Dappar toll plaza in Mohali, said they were protesting against the land pooling policy, the India-US trade deal and alleged irregularities in the Land Mortgage Bank.

He alleged that the state government wanted to "loot" farmers' land through the recently amended land pooling policy.

He also expressed apprehension that the proposed India-US trade deal would severely affect the interests of Indian farmers, including dairy farmers.

Another farmer leader at Kharar toll plaza said they were compelled to hold protests against the Punjab government and the Centre over the land pooling policy and the proposed India-US free trade agreement.

Protesting farmers said under the land pooling policy, the state government intended to acquire fertile agricultural land and hand it over to corporate houses.

They demanded the withdrawal of the policy.

Opposing the proposed India-US trade deal, they demanded that the agriculture, dairy and poultry sectors be kept out of the proposed pact and called for the agreement to be scrapped, alleging it would adversely affect Indian farmers.

They urged both governments to look address their demands, warning that they would intensify their agitation if these were not met.