Punjab govt calls farmers for meeting; BKU Ugrahan boycotts over detention fears
PTC Web Desk: After forcibly clearing the Shambhu and Khanauri borders through police action, the Punjab Government has once again invited farmer unions for a meeting. Scheduled for 4 pm today (March 21), the meeting, however, faces a setback as the BKU Ugrahan has decided to boycott the talks.
Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of BKU Ugrahan, cited concerns over potential detention by the Punjab Government, stating that their union would not participate. "We suspect that the government is using this meeting as a pretext to call us to Chandigarh and take us into custody," Ugrahan said. He further insisted that meaningful discussions could only take place if the Punjab Chief Minister himself participated and resumed talks from where they previously ended.
While the BKU Ugrahan has refused to participate, leaders from the SKM Punjab Chapter have already reached Chandigarh for the meeting. Visuals show farmer leaders seated at Punjab Bhawan, awaiting discussions with government representatives.
The meeting, convened by the Punjab Agriculture Department, was meant to include both BKU Ugrahan and SKM leaders. However, Ugrahan’s faction remains firm on its decision to stay away, citing the government’s recent crackdown on farmers.
Ugrahan stated that while the Punjab government has extended an invitation for talks, it has simultaneously taken strict action against farmers, seizing their belongings and refusing to return them. "How can discussions take place in such an environment?" he questioned.
The farmer leader reiterated that the government must first address their concerns, including releasing detained farmers and returning confiscated property, before any further negotiations.
- PTC NEWS
