Punjab Farmers Escalate Protests with Sit-Ins at AAP Leaders' Residences
In a significant escalation of their ongoing agitation, activists from the Punjab chapter of the farmer forum Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) organized widespread sit-in protests across the state on Thursday. The demonstrations, held at 28 locations spanning 18 districts, specifically targeted the residences and offices of ministers and MLAs belonging to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). This coordinated action underscores the deepening rift between the farming community and the state government over unmet demands.
Core Demands: Compensation, Loan Waivers, and Justice
The protesters presented a comprehensive list of demands, highlighting grievances from recent protests and broader agricultural policies. Key among these were:
- Compensation of Rs 3.77 crore for losses incurred during the Shambhu-Khanauri border protests earlier this year.
- A complete loan waiver for farmers to alleviate financial burdens.
- Compensation for families of farmers who lost their lives or sustained injuries during the Shambhu and Khanauri morchas.
- Action against officials accused of committing excesses against protesters during these agitations.
- Compensation for damage caused to crops and homes by recent floods in the region.
Policy Opposition: Trade Deal and Legislative Bills
Beyond immediate financial relief, the KMM activists urged the Punjab government to take a firm stand on national policy matters affecting agriculture. They demanded that the state oppose the India-US trade deal, arguing that it could harm the core agricultural sector. Additionally, they called for the state assembly to pass resolutions against several proposed bills, including:
- The Electricity Bill 2025
- The Seeds Bill
- The Fertiliser Bill
- VB GRAMG
- The 4 Labour Codes
These legislative measures, according to the protesters, threaten farmer interests and livelihoods.
KMM Leader Accuses AAP Government of Anti-Farmer Stance
Sarvan Singh Pandher, a prominent leader of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, voiced strong criticism against the AAP-led state government. He alleged that the administration has been "sitting over various demands of the farmers", many of which were accepted but never implemented. Pandher pointed to specific incidents to bolster his claims:
- The arrest of farmer leaders after they held talks with Union and state government ministers.
- The demolition of protest sites at Shambhu and Khanauri.
- A failure to provide compensation for losses suffered by farmers during these morchas.
He stated, "The state govt showcased its anti-farmer face through these actions." Pandher also announced that the KMM plans to observe the death anniversary of protesting farmer Shubhkaran Singh on February 21, further highlighting the human cost of the agitations.
The protests reflect growing frustration among Punjab's agricultural community, with activists leveraging direct actions at politicians' homes to pressure the government into addressing their demands. As tensions simmer, the state faces mounting challenges in balancing farmer welfare with policy implementation.
