Chandigarh: The nationwide ‘Gaon Bandh’ call given by various farmer organisations evoked a mixed response in Haryana and Punjab on the first day of the agitation.
Farmers reached mandis with fruits and vegetables as usual, though some stray incidents of growers being forcibly stopped were reported.
The Sector-26 grain market in capital Chandigarh continued to be flooded with farm produce and the arthiyas (commission agents) reported no shortage of vegetable and fruit supply.
Farmers in Punjab also continued with their normal business and sold their produce in the mandis. However, in Samrala, kisan union leaders barged into the vegetable markets and hampered the business. In Macchiwada, the protestors restrained the milkmen and spilled their produce on to the roads.
In Haryana, the 'Gaon Bandh' call seemed to fizzle out as the farm produce reached markets as usual. However, there were isolated incidents where the protesters restricted the farmers from selling their produce.
Fathehabad saw agitating farmers stopping peasants and milkmen mid-way and dumping their vegetables and fruits on the roads. In Yamunanagar, the vegetables reached the market but were not allowed to be sold by the agitators.
It is to be noted that only a few farm organisations in Haryana have lent their support to the ‘Gaon Bandh’ call given by the Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh (RKS). The RKS is demanding loan waiver and 50 per cent margin over the cost of production for crops.
Comments
0 comment