The announcement follows statewide demonstrations outside the offices of Deputy Commissioners on August 31.
The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) is set to launch a five-day protest across Punjab from Monday, September 14, intensifying its agitation over a range of demands concerning farmers and agricultural labourers. The announcement follows statewide demonstrations outside the offices of Deputy Commissioners on August 31.
The Morcha has said the upcoming protests will be held outside the residences of Punjab ministers, pressing the state government to address issues related to farmers’ livelihoods, debt and agricultural policy. Among its major demands are remunerative procurement of crops such as basmati, maize, mustard, potato and moong, along with complete loan waivers for farmers and agricultural workers.
The organisation has also sought compensation and government jobs for families affected by farmer suicides and demanded a long-term policy to tackle Punjab’s recurring floods, falling groundwater levels and pollution. It has raised concerns over prepaid electricity meters and opposed several recent central agricultural and labour-related laws and policy changes.
KMM leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has warned that the agitation will be intensified if the government fails to respond to the protesters’ demands. The five-day campaign is expected to add to the growing farmer mobilisation in Punjab, where several unions are currently pursuing separate and overlapping demands related to MSP, debt relief and agricultural policy.
The protest will therefore be closely watched as another major test for the Punjab government’s handling of farmers’ and agricultural labourers’ demands.
