AIKS condemns police action on Punjab, Haryana farmers

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) strongly condemned the police action on protesting farmers of Punjab and Haryana and threatened to launch a "powerful movement" if their demands were not met. Some farmers organisations had given a call to hold a protest demonstration at Chandigarh on demands related to the recent floods, including compensation for damaged crops.

"In a totally uncalled for action, the Punjab police at Longowal and the Haryana police at Ambala resorted to violence against peaceful farmers moving towards Chandigarh," the AIKS said in a statement issued by its President Ashok Dhawale and General Secretary Vijoo Krishnan. The AIKS condoled the tragic death of an elderly protester at Longowal "for which the Punjab police provocation is solely responsible".

"It is most treacherous that the State and Central governments continue to be callous and indifferent even at a time when farmers and other sections of the people of Himachal, Punjab, Haryana, Uttrakhand etc are reeling under the impact of the unprecedented fury of floods. Devastation of huge scale including lost human lives, damaged crops, livestock and homes have aggravated the miseries while no worthwhile relief is being provided."

The AIKS said that in these distressed conditions farmers and agricultural workers are continuously conducting a series of dharnas in various states demanding compensation for the losses due to floods and the outstanding claims related to PMFBY of the past seasons as well. The AIKS denounced the use of police force for not allowing the peaceful protesters to go to Chandigarh as a "blatant dictatorial act" that infringes on the fundamental right to organise protests and agitations for genuine issues in a democratic set up.

The AIKS demanded immediate release of all detained farmers, and provision of a much-needed special flood relief financial package by the Union Government. At the same time, it warned the government that a powerful movement involving all farmers organisations will be launched if the burning issues arising out of the floods are not addressed on an urgent basis.