Farmers stopped from meeting CM Mann during Ajnala visit
Tension prevailed near Bhalla Pind village in Ajnala here on Monday when the police stopped a group of farmers who had gathered to question Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during his visit to a local sugar mill. The Chief Minister reportedly left the venue without interacting with the farmers, which led to resentment among the protesters.
According to the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC), hundreds of farmers, led by state leader Sarwan Singh Pandher and district president Ranjit Singh Kaler Bala, reached Bhalla Pind after learning about the Chief Minister’s scheduled visit. They said they had previously reached an understanding with the police to hold a peaceful demonstration on one side of the road and intended to seek answers from the Chief Minister regarding pending compensation for flood damages.
However, after waiting for a long time without any communication from the administration, they urged officials to allow them to move closer to the venue. The police, citing security reasons, stopped them near the barricades. After brief arguments, officials assured the farmers that their concerns would be conveyed to the Chief Minister. But before any interaction could take place, CM Mann reportedly left the site in a helicopter.
KMSC leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, “The Chief Minister came to distribute relief for flood victims, but the amount announced is inadequate. We have demanded Rs 70,000 per acre for crop loss, 10 per cent compensation for farm labourers, full compensation for damaged houses and sugarcane crop, immediate release of pending dues and a judicial inquiry into the causes of floods.”
He further urged the government to provide fuel, fertilisers and seeds for wheat sowing, remove the time limit for clearing sand from fields and construct permanent embankments along rivers to prevent future flooding. The committee also demanded the removal of the 5-acre limit for compensation eligibility so that all affected farmers could receive fair relief.
Pandher also criticised the government for penalising farmers over stubble burning. “Farmers do not burn stubble by choice. If the government cannot manage it, it should provide Rs 200 per quintal or Rs 6,000 per acre to help manage crop residue. All fines, arrests and red entries against farmers must stop immediately,” he said.
A farmer from Lopoke alleged that some protesters had their clothes torn during the commotion at the barricades. “If ministers and MLAs continue to avoid public questions, they will face stronger protests in the coming days,” he warned.
Several district leaders, including Baldev Singh Bagga, Sukhwinder Singh Kolowal, Kulbir Singh Lopoke, Mukhtiar Singh Bhagwa, and others, were present during the protest.
Amritsar