The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has declined a meeting scheduled for May 19 with the Punjab governor, requesting a postponement after several farm unionists were hospitalised following recent clashes with police.
Request for Rescheduling
The forum of farmer unions has asked to reschedule the talks for any date after May 22, citing the health of key office-bearers, including Balbir Singh Rajewal. Several unionists remain under medical observation after Chandigarh police deployed water cannons and tear gas against protesting farmers on May 15.
Background of the Invitation
The governor's aide-de-camp (ADC) had invited a 35-member SKM delegation to an hour-long meeting at the Raj Bhavan on May 16. The invitation followed widespread protests where farmer unions had burned effigies of the governor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.
SKM's Stance
SKM functionaries Raminder Singh and Harinder Singh Lakhowal said they had received the invitation on May 17. Lakhowal stated in a release: "We have requested the governor's office to defer the talks because several of our members are still recovering from the May 15 police action, and we have an internal strategy meeting coming up on May 21."
Upcoming Strategy and Demands
The forum intends to determine its next course of political opposition to the BJP before presenting a series of Punjab-centric demands to the governor. Key items on its agenda include securing proper representation for Punjab on the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and resolving long-standing inter-state water disputes based on riparian principles.
