I WAS PRIVILEGED TO WITNESS THIS EVENT AND WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE RESOLUTE DETERMINATION OF THE PARTICIPANTS WHO INCLUDED MANY WOMEN.THE SPIRIT TO COMBAT THE INJUSTICE WAS WRITTEN ON THE FACES OF THE ACTIVISTS WHOSE HEARTS WERE FUMING WITH RAGE.HE UNITY OF ORGANIZATIONS HAD GREAT SIGNIFICANCE AND THIS EVENT IS A STEPPING STONE TOWARDS THE BUILDING OF AN ORGANIZED MOVEMENT.
A most significant protest was launched voicing demands of the arrest of the 2 culprits who were still not brought to the book in the murder of Gurdev Kaur and to oppose the attack on BKU Ugrahan president Joginder Singh Ugrahan.I was also deeply impressed with the great determination and sense of organization.
Around 5500 people participated mainly coming from around Sangrur to assemble at the Sangrur Disrict Collectors office.Significant that such agreat section of the landed peasantry belonging to BKU Ugrahan came out in support. Also meticulous work by Zameen prapti sangharsh commitee.
Signifiacnt speeches made by Mukesh Maluadh,convenor of ZPSC,Joginder Singh Ughrah,president of BKU Ugrahan and Pirthee Longowal ,leader of ZPSC.Such a meeting could produce a spark that can light a priarie fire.
Above all it is a great political training for the landed and particularly landless dalit peasantry.Parvesh Sharma
In light of the 1972 act no more than 17 and a half acres are permitted for private ownership.Today 38 and a half lakh acres remain vacant,.7 lakh families constitute those of landless labourers and 1.15 lakh families of poor peasants exist in Punjab today.
Tribune News Service
Sangrur, March27
Demanding the arrest of all accused who attacked Dalit Gurdev Kaur in Jhaloor village and Joginder Singh Ugrahan in Kohriya, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU-Ugrahan) and six other unions today started an indefinite protest in front of DC office here.
Protesters have locked all three gates of the complex and many senior officers, including ADC and SDM, are stuck inside.
Fearing some mischief to thwart their protest, groups of farmers have been standing guard with staff’s to prevent the of entry stray animals and outsiders inside.
“Many months after the death of Gurdev Kaur, out of total 33 accused, only five have been arrested. The accused tried to attack the BKU chief in Kohriya but action has been taken,” alleged Mukesh Malaud, district chief of Zameen Prapati Sangharsh Committee (ZPSC). The participating outfits are BKU Ekta Ugraha, ZPSC, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, Kirti Kisan Union, Krantikari Mazdoor Union, BKU Krantikari and Pendu Mazdoor Union.
The protesters alleged that Sangrur police was helping the accused, who are roaming free in villages and threatening Dalits to withdraw their complaints in Jhaloor village incident, registered after a clash between landlords and Dalits on October 05, 2016 over the possession of village common land reserved for Dalits. “We have come prepared and would only lift our protest after all the accused are behind bars,” said Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of the union.
Women protesters started preparing food in the evening after creating a temporary oven near the protest site. “We have all the material with us to prepare food for three-four days. Milk too would be supplied in the morning and evenings” said Manjit Kaur,
