THE NEWS FREEDOM
CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 15
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed solidarity with the state’s farmers on Thursday, affirming the government’s steadfast support for food growers amid the ongoing crisis. Participating in a meeting with farmers and Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, and Nityanand Rai, Mann lamented recent unfortunate events, emphasizing that such incidents could have been prevented. He strongly condemned the use of drones against protesting farmers, asserting the state government’s opposition to such actions. Mann highlighted the suspension of internet services in three districts, citing adverse impacts on student studies during ongoing examinations. He emphasized the state’s commitment to protecting youth from confrontations with water cannons or tear gas shells.
ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾਤਰ ਵਿਸ਼ਿਆਂ 'ਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੀ ਸਹਿਮਤੀ ਬਣੀ ਹੈ… ਮੇਰੀ ਕੇਂਦਰ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸਾਡੇ ਕਿਸਾਨ ਨੇ ਪੂਰੀ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਬਣਾਈ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ ਤੇ ਹਰਿਆਣੇ ਵਾਲੇ ਪਾਸਿਓਂ ਵੀ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਰੱਖਣ ਲਈ ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾਵੇ…ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਤੇ ਕਿਸਾਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਣ ਦੇਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ… pic.twitter.com/fWPitfcFc5
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) February 15, 2024
Mann reiterated the state government’s full backing of Punjab farmers’ demands, criticizing the installation of barbed fences along the Punjab-Haryana border as unjust and discriminatory. He underscored the state’s pivotal role in ensuring national food security and highlighted the challenges faced by farmers in diversifying crops. Mann urged the Union government to release funds under the Rural Development Fund (RDF) to facilitate compensation for farmers and promote diversification efforts.