Farmers protest Indo-US trade deal in Kapurthala
Members of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) held protests at three locations in Kapurthala district on Wednesday, burning effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump. The demonstrations were organized to demand the immediate cancellation of the proposed Indo-US trade deal.
Protest at Talwandi Chaudhrian bridge
At Talwandi Chaudhrian bridge near Sultanpur Lodhi, around 30 to 35 KMSC activists gathered under the leadership of district president Sarwan Singh Baupur. The effigy-burning programme took place between 10.30 am and 11.00 am. Protesters raised slogans against the Centre’s trade policies and expressed concern that the proposed agreement could adversely affect the interests of farmers and workers.
Demonstrations at Nadala Chowk and village Ibban
Similar demonstrations were organised at Nadala Chowk in Bholath, where about 25 to 30 KMSC members, led by Nishan Singh, president of the Nadala Zone, burnt effigies and voiced opposition to the trade deal. Another protest was held at village Ibban under the leadership of Paramjit Singh, president of the Kot Karar Khan Zone, where around 30 to 35 members participated and reiterated the demand for scrapping the proposed agreement.
Allegations against the trade deal
The protesters alleged that the Indo-US trade deal would benefit multinational corporations at the cost of the farming community and rural economy. They urged the Union Government to withdraw from any such agreement that could negatively impact agricultural interests.
Peaceful conclusion of protests
Police and civil authorities remained vigilant during the demonstrations. Officials reported that all three programmes concluded peacefully and no untoward incident was reported. The law and order situation remained completely under control throughout the protests.
