Preparation For Farmers’ “Day of Betrayal” On Jan 31 In Full Swing Across Country: SKM

New Delhi, Jan 28 : The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Friday said the “Day of Betrayal” will be observed across the country on January 31, and large protest demonstrations will be organised at the district and block level. The SKM said in a statement here that all the farm unions associated with the morcha will observe the protest. It is expected that this programme will be organised in at least 500 districts across the country. The decision was taken by SKM in its meeting held on January 15, to protest against the alleged deceit meted out to the farmers. In the protest, a memorandum will also be submitted to the Union government.

The preparation for the programme was reviewed in the meeting of the coordination committee of SKM. The organisation said the anti-farmer stand of the government was evident from the fact that even after the decision of January 15, the Union government has not fulfilled any of the promises made in its letter on December 9. No action has been taken in the last two weeks on the promise of immediate withdrawal of the cases filed during the agitation and compensation to the families of martyrs. The government has not announced the formation of a committee on the issue of MSP, it added.

The Morcha reiterated that it fully endorses and supports the nationwide strike called by the Central Trade Unions on February 23 and 24, for issues such as the withdrawal of four anti-labour codes, as well as for the MSP for farmers and against privatisation. The statement said the Morcha has made it clear that the name, banner or platform of SKM will not be used by any political party or candidate in Punjab and other state elections. Disciplinary action will be taken by the Morcha against those who do so, it added.