In a major relief for the common people of Punjab, farmers' unions have agreed to soon vacate Delhi-Jammu National Highway during their meeting with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann had called meeting in Chandigarh along with farmer leaders. As a result, the farmers blocking the railway tracks in Jalandhar vacated on Friday morning. After the conclusion of the meeting between Punjab government and the farmer leaders, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann came down heavily on the trend of blocking roads and railways just to raise demands by the farmers.
'We had a meeting in a very positive environment. The happiest thing is we had a discussion on ending the trend of blocking roads and railways. This blocking of roads and railways must not come again. There are other ways to talk to the government, there are other venues for people where they can talk to the government like the Punjab Bhawan. But talking to the government after disrupting the daily lives of the common people is not right. Everyone in the meeting room accepted this and gave a positive response," said Punjab CM addressing the media on Friday.
However, what was a relief for the common people, when Punjab CM Mann annonced that farmer leaders have agreed to open the Delhi-Jammu Highway soon. In the meantime, the service lane will be operational.
At present, Delhi-Jammu National Highway is still blocked (whilw writing). Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav was also present in the meeting. Punjab CM Mann will also hold a meeting with mill owners tomorrow. Eight farmer leaders were present in the meeting.
Addressing the media, CM Mann assured that soon sugarcane farmers will be given a gift by the government and the rates of sugarcane will also be increased. "Farmers have assured the government that in future they will not block railway tracks and highways," said Bhagwant Mann.
"After reaching a consensus with the farmers, we have called the sugar mill owners for a meeting. The government will hold a meeting with the mill owners on Saturday and the stranded money will be returned to the farmers," said CM Mann adding, "Farmers have been told that if they have any problem then they should come to Kisan Bhawan and hold a meeting with the officials, we will find a solution to it."
For the last 4 days, farmers have been blocking the National Highway at Dhannowali, some distance from PAP Chowk, while going towards Ludhiana, demanding increase in the rate of sugarcane and other demands.