‘Disillusioned’ farmers of Himachal Pradesh to observe ‘Bharat Bandh’

The agitated and annoyed farmers and apple producers of Himachal have been fraught with the continuous fall in apple prices and the alleged plundering in mandis, and manifold increase in input costs. Amid this, farmers of Himachal have decided to move on the path of agitation. Farmers, dissatisfied about horticulture specially farm policy of the state, are going to agitate against the government on September 27 across the state on roads and streets.

CPI (M) leader and MLA Rakesh Singh said that on September 27, United Kisan Morcha is going to take part in Bharat Bandh. The United Kisan Manch Himachal under the banner will protest and agitate against the exploitation both in market and farm related trade.

It is worth mentioning that the farmers of the state are accusing the government of operating the apple market in collaboration with private apple traders, big corporate houses and bringing down the prices. Due to this, the horticulturists organization at the block and district level for the last one month across the state are gearing up by holding meetings and small agitations, for making this September 27, Bharat bandh successful.

Meanwhile, a statement of the Chief Minister has increased the displeasure of the farmers’ organizations. In a statement the CM has termed the movement of United Kisan Manch as a political movement.

MLA Rakesh Singha reacted to the Chief Minister’s statement and said that the Chief Minister should show willpower to crack down on the robbers in the mandis.

Singha said that the policy of discrimination is going to increase the difficulties of the government. The farmers organization is going to start a big fight against this exploitation of the government and the corporate together, and the brunt of it will be faced by the government badly, he added.

CPI (M) leader and gardener Rakesh Singha said, “Political parties come later, first we are farmers.”

“Government should not discriminate or split farm organization into political ideology,” he added.

The chairman of the Sanyukt Kisan Manch, Harish Chauhan told The Daily Guardian “The government and the agencies have turned a blind eye to the plight of the farmers”