Tribune News Service
Muktsar, October 7
A large number of protesting farmers today broke police barricades and reached Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal’s residence at Badal village here today. They gheraoed the residence for two hours.
Under the banner of BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), farmers from five districts — Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa, Fazilka and Faridkot — had been holding a sit-in near Manpreet’s residence since Monday, demaning Rs 60,000 per acre compensation for themselves and Rs 30,000 for each farm labourer’s family for the damage to their cotton crop due to pink bollworm.
Shingara Singh Mann, state secretary, BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), said: “We had been protesting since Monday, but none came to talk to us. We today marched ahead and reached outside Manpreet’s residence. Later, the Gidderbaha SDM assured us of a meeting with the government on Friday. Thereafter, we returned to our protest site, located a few metres away from Manpreet’s residence.”
Some farmers said the state government was mum on the crop damage. “The quality of cotton seeds and pesticides should be inspected. A strict action is required,” they added.
Meanwhile, the protesters appealed to other farmers to come in large numbers tomorrow. The situation was peaceful, but a large number of police personnel were present in the village. Besides, anti-riot vehicles, were stationed in the village.
Cotton growers gherao Manpreet’s house, demand Rs60k/acre relief
{$excerpt:n}
