Farmers launch 'indefinite' dharna at Phagwara Sugar Mill Chowk

Chandigarh, August 8:

Sugarcane farmers from Punjab on Monday launched an indefinite dharna in front of Phagwara Sugar Mill Chowk in protest against pending dues.

According to sources, a portion of the Delhi-Amritsar NH has been blocked, but traffic movement continues from Jalandhar to Ludhiana. "Highway will be completely shut after the festival of Raksha Bandhan. Train movement will also be stopped," said Manjit Roy, a farmer leader. Meanwhile, amid the road blockade by the protesting farmers, the traffic police have issued an advisory for commuters.

Also Read | Farmers intensify protest in Phagwara; place trolleys to block Amritsar-Delhi NH

The development comes as the authorities failed to pay pending bills of sugarcane farmers. Notably, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann recently presided over a meeting with sugarcane farmers and assured the payment of dues of sugarcane farmers.

However, upset over the unfulfilled promise, farmers in Phagwara announced an indefinite protest beginning August 8. Notably, the mill owes Rs 36 crore to farmers for 2019-20.

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-PTC News