Punjab farmers demand case withdrawal over stubble burning, stage protest - ReportPunjab.

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Punjab Farmer bodies seek withdrawal of cases against farmers for burning stubble, hold protest reportPunjab LAST UPDATED: 2023/11/21 AT 6:41 AM BY REPORTPUNJAB 4 MIN READ SHARE Members of various farmer organisations raise slogans during a protest against the Punjab government against action over stubble burning issue. PTI photo SHARE Punjab Farmer bodies seek withdrawal of cases against farmers for burning stubble, hold protest Ludhiana, November 20, 2023: As per media reports, Under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, several farmer bodies on Monday held protests at the offices of deputy commissioners and sub-divisional magistrates at many places, seeking withdrawal of cases registered against farmers for burning stubble. MEMBERS OF VARIOUS FARMER ORGANISATIONS RAISE SLOGANS DURING A PROTEST AGAINST THE PUNJAB GOVERNMENT AGAINST ACTION OVER STUBBLE BURNING ISSUE. PTI PHOTO According to the news published in The Tribune, the agitating farmers demanded withdrawal of legal actions, including registration of FIRs and rollback of the fine imposed on farmers for burning crop residue. The protesting farmers, who also demanded a long-lasting solution for paddy straw, brought stubble-laden trolleys to several offices of DCs and SDMs. Police on Sunday had said that over 930 FIRs had been registered against farmers for burning stubble since November 8, besides, a fine of Rs 1.67 crore had been imposed in 7,405 cases and red entries were made in the revenue records of 340 farmers. In Moga, a group of farmers, who were bringing stubble in tractor-trolleys, said they were stopped from entering the DC office complex for staging a ‘dharna’. One of the farmers even lied in front of a police vehicle, demanding they be allowed to go to the DC complex. Where should we take this stubble?” one of the protesters asked. The protesters, while condemning the legal action against farmers for burning straw, said 75-80 per cent pollution was caused by industry and vehicles. But the action was being taken against farmers, they said. In Sangrur, the protesting farmers brought stubble in their tractor-trolleys and parked their vehicles near the DC office. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said demonstrations were held at 34 places in the state. He demanded that penalties imposed on farmers be withdrawn and sought a long-lasting solution for managing stubble. In Ludhiana, protesting farmers were not allowed to enter the city. Two groups of farmers were stopped at Verka Milk Plant Chowk and near the Sangowal village, respectively. Later, a delegation of farmers reached the mini secretariat and presented a memorandum to the additional deputy commissioner. In Hoshiarpur, farmers under the banner of Azad Kisan Committee Doaba staged a ‘dharna’ against punitive actions towards farmers involved in burning stubble. Led by Harpal Singh Sangha, the president of Azad Kisan Committee Doaba, the farmers gathered in front of the district administrative complex. They submitted a memorandum to the Hoshiarpur DC outlining their concerns and demands. Paddy-straw burning in Punjab and Haryana is considered one of the reasons behind the spike in air pollution levels in the national capital in October and November.