Amritsar/Bathinda: Farmer groups have intensified their opposition to the proposed India-US trade deal, with the Punjab chapter of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) announcing statewide protests on Wednesday and the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) planning a 10-day march to Delhi from Aug 15 if agriculture, dairy and allied sectors are included in the agreement.KMM spokesperson Sarwan Singh Pandher said marches, rallies and effigy-burning demonstrations would be held across Punjab, including outside BJP offices, to protest the proposed trade pact and highlight farmers’ concerns.Pandher said the agitation stemmed from fears that the deal could expose Indian agriculture to cheaper and heavily subsidised American farm products. He alleged that any reduction in import duties could flood domestic markets with foreign produce, depress prices and adversely affect the livelihoods of farmers.Meanwhile, SKM (Non-Political) convener Jagjit Singh Dallewal said the proposed march would begin from Khanauri on Aug 15 and reach Jantar Mantar in Delhi by Aug 25 if the Centre includes agriculture and allied sectors in the trade agreement.The announcement came during a protest in Delhi on Tuesday where members of the farmer group raised slogans against the visiting US delegation, alleging that the proposed trade deal would hurt Indian farmers.“The farmers are fighting for the nation,” Pandher said, maintaining that the movement was aimed at protecting the interests of both farmers and labourers.
