On SKM’s call, J&K Kissan Tehreek protests in J&K

SRINAGAR — On the call for country-wide protest day on May 26, Jammu and Kashmir Kissan Tehreek staged protest demonstrations across the region on Wednesday, demanding repeal of ‘anti-farmer’ laws passed by the BJP government in the Parliament without any consultation, debate and discussion last year.

According to a statement issued here, the protest call was given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM)—the umbrella body of farmer unions protesting against the Centre’s three agricultural laws.

While maintaining SOPs and social distancing norms, the protestors said that these ‘anti-farmer’ and ‘anti-poor’ agri-laws are bound to destroy the agriculture sector and threaten India’s food security. Besides, these laws will lay the basis for the abolishment of the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Gh Nabi Malik, General Secretary J&K Kisan Tehreek while addressing the protest demonstration at Anantnag said these ‘anti-farmer’ laws have pushed the farmers into a critical situation.

He said the issue of fair price for their produce by ensuring a minimum support price for all crops has been a long pending demand of Kissans. “The government must include Basmati, Saffron, fresh and dry fruit in MSP. This legitimate demand despite repeated promises/assurances has not been conceded till date. Unjustified price rises in pesticides have created havoc for common people,” he added.

“We demand the immediate repeal of the farm laws and the legal entitlement to the MSP of C2+50 per cent as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission. The Central Government must stop being obdurate and immediately resume talks with the SKM on these lines,” he further said.

“Similarly, there is a need to ensure availability of fertilizers, pesticides for farmers amid current lockdown. The government should keep in view that the summer crop is not only a key crop cycle for farmers but is equally important for the growth of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy which largely depends on the agricultural and horticulture sectors,” he said.

He maintained, “A mechanism must be put in place to ensure that farmers carry on their activities without any hindrance. Strawberry crop is ripe to harvest, but without any market there is apprehension that this produce may not reach markets owing to its short life. Similarly, the cherry crop will be ripe for harvesting at the beginning of next month. Govt must introduce a market intervention scheme for these fruits.”

He called for a comprehensive compensation for affected farmers, orchardists who suffered extensive damages due to heavy hailstorm that wreaked havoc in various parts of the valley and demanded implementation of the Crop Insurance Scheme.

Meanwhile, similar demonstrations were held at Srinagar, Kulgam, Shopian, Budgam, Kathua and Jammu.

In Srinagar, the CITU held a demonstration and was addressed by senior trade union leader Ab Rashid Pandit. Similarly, Kishore Kumar addressed the Kisans at Jammu and Sewa Ram at Kathua.

Kisan Tehreek demanded that with the Covid upsurge continuing to intensify, it is high time that the Central government accepts the demands of the Kisans who have been on struggle for nearly six months.