Agricultural workers of the Zameen Prapati Sangharsh Committee (ZPSC), Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, Pendu Mazdoor Union, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sabha, Mazdoor Mukti Morcha, Kul Hind Khet Mazdoor Union and the Dihati Mazdoor Sabha organised a massive rally at the residence of the Punjab Chief Minister in Sangrur, on November 30.
Their main demands included amendment to the law for conversion of village common land to reserved land, 33 per cent representation to Dalits in village cooperative societies and cancellation of FIRs registered against ZPSC members for protests.
When they reached the CM’s residence, the police tried to stop the protestors with barricades, trucks and other blockades. The police then resorted to brutal lathi-charge, causing injuries to scores of protestors.
After receiving an assurance from the authorities that the CM would meet the agitating agricultural workers on December 21, the workers ended the protest. However, they have announced that they will intensify their protest if the government fails to fulfil their long-standing demands.
Peasant organisations of Punjab such as the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) have extended support to the ongoing struggle of the agricultural workers.