Farmers’ leader sits on hunger strike

CHANDIGARH - Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) (Rajewal group) president Balbir Singh Rajewal Monday sat on an indefinite hunger strike in Mohali town in Punjab, on the outskirts of Chandigarh, demanding financial sops for peasants.

Rajewal led a peaceful protest march of supporters from Mohali but they were stopped by Chandigarh police on the border. Thereafter, they pitched tents and Rajewal sat on hunger strike.

On Aug 10, BKU members were stopped from entering Chandigarh. At that time also, over 200 farmers camped on the border, for at least three days, before returning to Punjab.

The BKU had called for the rally to put pressure on the Punjab government to increase productivity bonus on crops, disburse the Rs.800 crore central package for farmers and relaxations on pending electricity bills.

“Last month the Punjab government assured us that Rs.800 crore grant will be disbursed among the farmers within a month. But they have failed to fulfill their promise and now they are saying that this amount will be given to the power department,” Rajewal told IANS.

“We have lost all belief in the Punjab government but we will follow the peaceful path of protest. I am on a hunger strike and I would not eat anything till the government disburses the amount,” he added.

Elaborate security arrangements were made in Chandigarh in view of the protest.

In September last year, there were clashes between police and farmers and one person was killed and nearly 100 were injured.