Khanauri Border: Samyukt Kisan Morcha calls for nationwide tractor marches on Republic Day

Ravi Singh

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has decided to carry out tractor marches across the country on Republic Day, January 26, with the demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should initiate discussions with farmers on their pending demands. The call was given in view of the growing apprehensions over the health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been continuing an indefinite hunger strike for the past 48 days.

In a statement released on Sunday, SKM pointed out that Jagjit Singh Dallewal, SKM’s Non-Political convenor, has been on strike at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 last year. His agitation so far has centered on essential issues, such as the legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

The SKM has requested farmers nationwide to take the issue of government paying immediate heed to their complaints forward at every district and subdivision levels through processions of tractor, vehicle and motor cycle to urge the respective Governments. Joint Meeting of Non-political Wing SKM, with Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to strategise for next stages on Monday.

“The SKM appeals to the farmers to hold tractor/vehicle/motorcycle rallies on January 26 at the district/sub-division level across the country,” it said in the statement.

The movement has picked up pace as farmers have been demanding MSP, a demand that has been pending for years, which will ensure that they get remunerative prices for their produce.