As Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh remained on the boil two days after five farmers were killed in police firing, Punjab farmers have announced a protest for June 12 to highlight their plight.
Seven farmers’ unions met at Moga on Thursday and took the decision.
The demands of the unions included immediate farm loan waiver and implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s report, which recommended that the minimum support prices for crops be fixed at 50% more than the weighted average cost of production.
The meeting also condemned the “unprovoked” police firing on the agitating farmers in Madhya Pradesh and demanded action against the accused.
“The Congress party came to power in Punjab by promising farmers loan waiver. The party should keep its word. Farmer suicides are rising in the State, so the government should act fast. We want all loans, whether private or government, taken by farmers and labourers waived immediately,” Surjit Singh, president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Krantikari), told The Hindu .
“We will stage a demonstration in all district headquarters on June 12 and submit a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioners,” Mr. Singh said.
Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said while his government was committed to farm loan waiver, the Centre should come up with a holistic policy to address the problem.
