Mohali: The Chandigarh-Mohali border turned into the centre of a major farmers’ mobilisation, with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) setting up a “pucca morcha” at the 47/48 light point for a seven-day, round-the-clock protest. Farmers started arriving in large numbers from Monday evening, and by Tuesday morning, the protest site had begun taking the shape of a permanent camp, complete with a stage, ration supplies, langar arrangements and trolleys loaded with gas cylinders.The SKM has announced that the protest will continue until September 7, with farmer leaders set to raise and discuss their demands every day. The mobilisation is being described by farmer leaders as the first major SKM protest at the Chandigarh border.SKM has established a day-and-night protest at the Chandigarh-Mohali border. The main stage has been erected at the 47/48 light point, and farmers are expected to remain at the site throughout the seven-day agitation.Groups have arrived with rations reportedly sufficient for nearly two months, and langar arrangements have been made for protesters. Trolleys carrying gas cylinders have also reached the site. Farmer organisations from across Punjab are expected to join the mobilisation.Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said the protest would focus on issues concerning Punjab’s water, agriculture and farmers. He said the demands would be discussed daily during the round-the-clock agitation.Among the key demands is the cancellation of old agreements relating to water, besides ensuring fair and timely payments to sugarcane farmers. The farmers are also opposing policies and international trade agreements that, they contend, could adversely affect Punjab’s agricultural economy.Rajewal said farmers remained ready for talks if the government invited them for negotiations. “If the talks fail, the morcha will continue beyond the seven-day period,” he said.The farmers have occupied a portion of the road stretch between the Golf Club and the 47/48 light point, where the protest stage has been installed. With the administration’s consent, the remaining portion has been kept open to allow public movement and prevent a complete shutdown of the Chandigarh-Mohali link.The road from Tribune Chowk towards IISER Chowk remains open, with traffic being routed through this stretch. Vehicles travelling from Mohali towards Chandigarh are being diverted from IISER Chowk towards CP Mall.Traffic emerging from Phase 11 and internal roads is being diverted towards Chandigarh via Jagatpura Road from the Golf Club.Two Months’ Rations, Langar and Gas Cylinders ArriveThe farmers have made it clear that the agitation is not a symbolic gathering but a full-fledged pucca morcha. Several groups have arrived carrying foodgrains and other essentials, with some reportedly bringing nearly two months’ worth of rations.Langar arrangements have also been put in place at the protest site. Members of BKU Rajewal have taken responsibility for serving langar to farmers and others participating in the agitation.Lakhwinder Singh, district general secretary of BKU Rajewal, said the seven-day SKM protest was being organised to raise demands concerning both the Punjab and Central governments. He said several assurances made during the 2020 Delhi farmers’ agitation were yet to be implemented.He said his organisation, under district president Kripal Singh Sehoudi, had made arrangements for langar.‘500 Trolleys Reach Morcha Site’; 1.5-km Stretch OccupiedJaswinder Singh Sandhu, Mohali block president of BKU Rajewal, said his organisation expected around 500 trolleys from different parts of Punjab to reach the protest site.He said several farmer groups had already arrived on Monday night, while more were expected by Tuesday afternoon. Once the mobilisation was complete, stage activities and daily discussions on farmers’ demands would intensify.Sandhu said other farmer organisations were also extending support to the SKM protest.Farmers Target Centre Over Electricity, Seed BillsThe farmers have stepped up their criticism of the Centre over the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill and Seed Amendment Bill, arguing that the measures could have serious implications for the farming community.They have also raised objections to the proposed India-US free trade agreement, maintaining that international trade arrangements must not compromise the interests of Indian farmers or expose the agriculture sector to adverse market conditions.Farmer leaders said the government should first implement the commitments made during the 2020 farmers’ agitation before introducing or pursuing policies that affect agriculture.‘Our Fight Is Against Government Policies, Not the Public’With traffic diversions affecting movement at the Chandigarh-Mohali border, farmer leaders sought to underline that they did not intend to inconvenience the general public.Sandhu said the administration had permitted farmers to use a portion of the road for the protest while the remaining stretch had been kept open for public movement.“Our protest is against the policies of the government, not against the people,” Sandhu said.He also accused political parties in Punjab of failing to adequately address issues concerning farmers and the state.Key Demands of FarmersCancellation of old agreements concerning Punjab’s water.Timely and remunerative payments to sugarcane farmers.Implementation of assurances made during the 2020 Delhi farmers’ agitation.Opposition to the Electricity Amendment Bill.Opposition to the Seed Amendment Bill.Protection of farmers’ interests in international trade agreements.Opposition to the proposed India-US free trade agreement.Resolution of issues concerning farm loans and Punjab’s agricultural interests.
