Civil Society members, farmers hold tractor rally, give memo to ADC

Ludhiana: Members of Civil Society and farmers’ organisation submitted a memorandum to the district administration here after taking out a tractor march from Noor Mahal in Jalandhar to Ludhiana on Monday. Keeping this in mind, the Ludhiana police had already issued an advisory to the commuters on Sunday to avoid certain routes in the city in view of the

tractor rally

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Tejinder Singh, son of national president of BKU Rajewal Balbir Singh Rajewal, said that about 250 tractor and 50 other vehicles were part of the tractor rally that started from Noor Mahal area of Jalandhar. He added that after reaching Ludhiana they handed over a memorandum to the additional deputy commissioner at Jagraon bridge.

Singh said that in the memorandum they had taken strong exception to use of bad words against farmers by some BJP leaders. He added that they had asked the administration that they (BJP leaders) should not do it and if they would do it again, then they would boycott them.

Tejinder added that they had given an application to SHO Noor Mahal about the tractor rally, who had taken it up with Ludhiana police and whatever route they provided, they followed the same route. He added that the rally was taken in a peaceful and disciplined manner and traffic was not disrupted.

Meanwhile, the BKU in a statement issued said that the farmers’ struggle had been going on for the last seven to eight months and the ‘black laws’ passed by the Union government were like death warrant for farmers. It added that one-two farmers were dying daily at the Delhi borders.

The statement said that despite all this, BJP leaders were making false statements against them and allegedly celebrating the fate of martyred farmers. It added that despite the peaceful dharna, false FIRs had been registered against farmers which was totally wrong.

Kashmir Singh, a farmer from Jandyala and BKU Rajewal worker, said that the farmers wouldn’t rest till their demands about repeal of the ‘black farming laws’ was accepted. He demanded that the government should also cancel the cases registered against farmers during the Republic Day tractor rally and also guarantee MSP on all crops.

Earlier, the rally saw elderly and youth in good numbers. They were carrying flags of farmers’ agitation and raising slogans in favour of farmers and farm workers and against Modi government. Open jeeps, modified tractors also comprised the rally that passed through the city.