Punjab Farmers Rally at Toll Plazas Against Land Pooling, US Trade Pact

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) held demonstrations at several toll plazas across Punjab on Tuesday, allowing free passage to vehicles in protest against the Punjab government's land pooling policy and the proposed India-US free trade agreement. 

Responding to a call by Jagjit Singh Dallewal, national convener of the SKM (Non-Political) and president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur), farmers gathered at the toll plazas and raised slogans against both the Punjab government and the Centre.

Protesting farmers said under the land



pooling policy, the state government intended to acquire fertile agricultural land and hand it over to corporate houses. 

They demanded the withdrawal of the policy. Opposing the proposed India-US trade deal, they demanded that the agriculture, dairy and poultry sectors be kept out of the proposed pact and called for the agreement to be scrapped, alleging it would adversely affect Indian farmers. 

They urged both governments to look address their demands, warning that they would intensify their agitation if these were not met.