CHANDIGARH: Furious over the treatment meted out to them by the BJP government in Delhi on Wednesday, leaders of Punjab farm unions have vowed to intensify their stir in the coming days.
The unions will be taking their protests from the railway tracks, where ‘Rail Roko’ campaign is on since October 1, to the streets of urban areas.
A union leader said the BJP leaders would be gheraoed and held captive at their residences as farmers would move to start “pucca dharnas”. The businesses owned by two large corporate houses, including petrol pumps, would not be allowed to operate, they said. He said retail businesses as well highway toll plazas operated by these corporate giants would be gheraoed.
While the BJP leaders are at the receiving end of farmers because of the agriculture laws, especially The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, enacted by their party’s government at the Centre, the action against the corporate houses is being seen as a fallout of fears that the laws were intended to benefit them.
Some farmer unions have also decided to burn the effigies of BJP leaders in urban areas on October 25. A final decision on the future action plan will be announced by the unions after their meeting, which is currently underway in Chandigarh.
Besides, efforts would be made to involve all workers’ unions of Punjab in the protest. Already, several unions, including of teachers, have extended support to the farmers.
The largest farmer union, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), has already intensified its stir by launching ‘pucca dharnas’ outside the residences of BJP leaders. The farmers are just sitting outside, restricting the entry and exit of these leaders from their houses.