Bathinda: Punjab’s farm unions stepped up protests and mobilisation on Monday, with Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) activists heading towards Chandigarh, BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha holding sit-ins at deputy commissioner offices, and BKU (Ekta Sidhupur) continuing its Jail Bharo campaign in Faridkot over the arrest of 194 activists.SKM activists began travelling to Chandigarh from various parts of Punjab for a week-long morcha at the Chandigarh-Mohali border from Tuesday. They are carrying dry ration and other essentials and plan to stay in tractor-trailers and other vehicles.The Punjab chapter of SKM has raised demands including scrapping all water agreements of Punjab, cancelling FTAs and ensuring MSP for all crops.Meanwhile, BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) continued its protests at DC offices for the second day over 13 demands, including scrapping FTAs, MSP for all crops and farm debt waiver. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha activists also held day-long protests at DC offices over state and central govt-related demands.BKU (Ekta Sidhupur), affiliated to SKM (Non-Political), continued its court-arrest campaign in Faridkot. After 194 activists were sent to judicial custody on Saturday, 13 more were arrested in Fazilka, while a 21-member jatha from Muktsar and Faridkot was taken into custody. Another 21-member jatha from Ferozepur and Faridkot presented itself for court arrest.Separately, SKM (Non-Political) convener Jagjit Singh Dallewal said its meeting with the central govt, earlier scheduled for Sep 4, had been preponed to Sep 3 as Janmashtami falls on Sep 4. “We will assemble at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi and will prepare the issues to be discussed with central government ministers on Sep 3,” he said.
