Farmers’ Protests: Sampurna Kranti Divas and Shahid Diwas Observed in W Bengal
Kolkata: As the protests against the three controversial farm laws continue in the country, remembering the martyrs of the farmers’ movement, Sampurna Kranti Diwas and Shahid divas were observed in the state while maintaining the appropriate COVID-19 protocol.
Amal Halder, convenor of All India Kisan Sangram Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), told NewsClick that hundreds of farmers joined the protests across the state. Shahid Diwas being observed on Sunday will pay a tribute to those farmers who have lost their lives due to the state’s repression -- including the farmers who were killed in Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh, said Halder.
In a statement released on Saturday, AIKSCC said that by “promulgating black ordinance on June 5, 2020, the Central government had brought in three black agricultural legislations in the country”. Sampurna Krati Divas, observed to mark this day, also coincided with the World Environment Day. Programmes were organised in Jalpaiguri, North Dinajpur, Hooghly, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Bankura, East Medinipur, and Nadia Burdwan where the demand to scrap the farm-related legislations was reiterated. Effigies of the prime minister along with the copies of the legislations were also burnt reportedly at a few places. A sit-in demonstration was organised and rallies were taken in Hooghly by Thana Krishak Sabha, Khetmazdoor Union, CITU, DYFI, and Mahila Samity. To mark the World Environment Day, a tree plantation drive had also been organised.
On Sunday, martyrs’ columns were erected in many villages where All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) members garlanded the columns. A number of programmes were organised to remember the farmers who lost their lives in Mandsaur while protesting after the police opened fire at them on June 6, 2017.
AIKS leader Snehasish Roy, while addressing the protesters, put forth a 14-point charter of demands. On June 4 as well, the AIKS unit in West Medinipur had submitted a five-point charter to the district magistrate. Purchase of the boro rice at MSP, reduction in prices of the fertilisers and seeds, and compensation for crop damage were some of the demands included on the charter
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