Huge support for farmers’ stir: Farmers and city residents attend kisan mahapanchayat at the Rally Ground in Sector 25, Chandigarh, on Saturday. Tribune Photo: Pradeep Tewari see also p2
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 20
At the Rally Ground of Sector 25, a crowd of over 7,000 people attended the first mahapanchayat in the City Beautiful. Propounded by the leaders of farmer unions, the dialectical camaraderie between Punjab and Haryana converged on the stage where some speakers address crowds in ‘puadhi’ language. The Tricolour stood tall amidst flags of several farmer unions and slogans of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ and ‘Kisan, Mazdoor Ekta, Zindabaad’ exuded the fervour of nationalism.Farmer leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan addresses the kisan mahapanchayat at the Rally Ground in Sector 25 on Saturday. Pradeep Tewari
The key speakers at the event, Joginder Singh Ugrahan of the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), Ruldu Singh Mansa of the Punjab Kisan Union and Gurnam Singh Chaduni of the BKU, Haryana, spoke about the alleged BJP government-corporate nexus. “While Adani’s making silos or godowns for grains in Moga and Haryana, Modi’s making the laws,” alleged Joginder Singh Ugrahan.
Gurnam Singh Chaduni alleged, “Every time our supporters here have protested against the farm laws, the authorities have used violence as means to silence them.” He added: “If we lose this fight for our food, we will never be able to fight for our rights again. If these agro-business laws are exercised, everyone’s food will land in only a few people’s godowns.”
Sadhu Singh Sarangpur, one of the speakers, took to ‘puadhi’ language as he rooted for farm laws to be revoked, and Ruldu Singh Mansa cheered the people of Chandigarh for supporting farmers. “It is heartwarming how these farm laws reached urban spaces such as Chandigarh. It is encouraging that the City Beautiful, the hub of education and educated people, is backing us,” he said.
End farm impasse: Capt to PM Says law-making should be left to states
Border Kisan Union members take out a bike rally in Amritsar on Saturday. Photo: Vishal Kumar
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 20
Expressing concern over the threat to agriculture as a result of the “disruptions caused by the three farm laws”, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure urgent resolution of the farm unrest.
Calling for respect for the annadata, the CM, through his speech submitted for the virtual meeting of the NITI Aayog, reiterated his government’s stand that agriculture was a state subject and law-making on the issue should be left to the states “in the true spirit of cooperative federalism enshrined in the Constitution”. Capt Amarinder could not attend the meeting as he was indisposed.
Dispel farmer fears on MSP, says Amarinder
Citing strong apprehension among farmers of the state that the MSP-based procurement regime introduced as part of food security measures in the 1960s might be discontinued in view of the Shanta Kumar Committee report of 2015, the Chief Minister said the Government of India should dispel any such impression “to instil confidence in the farmers of Punjab”.
In his speech, the CM asserted that any reform in a sector subsuming almost 60 per cent of the country’s workforce must be done only through extensive consultation with stakeholders.
The CM also used the forum to once again reiterate the state government’s demand for a bonus of Rs 100 per quintal on paddy procured as “paddy straw management compensation”.
Underlining the importance of aligning the cropping system with agro-climatic conditions for the optimum use of resources, Capt Amarinder called upon the Government of India to designate agencies to procure and provide MSP matching the returns of wheat and paddy. This will motivate farmers to take up cultivation of alternate crops, he said.
India, China discuss 4 friction points, including Demchok, at Corps Commander talks
Representational image of Indian Army vehicles moving in Leh, Ladakh | ANI
New Delhi: With pull back at Pangong Tso over, India and China are now discussing disengagement at four more locations, two of which could take time, ThePrint has learnt.
This is because tensions at both the contentious areas — Depsang Plains and Demchok — trace their origin prior to the current round of tensions between the two countries that erupted in late April last year.
While initially, it was known that the areas under discussion for disengagement included Gogra, Hot Springs and Depsang Plains, sources in the defence and security establishment said it also included Demchok.
“There has been a minor transgression at Demchok where a few tents have come up, but this area is disputed,” a source said, adding that this is not a classical violation.
“It was on and off previously but since April, the Chinese had firmed up,” the source said.
Another source confirmed that Demchok is on the agenda of the Corps Commander level talks.
The tenth round of the Corps Commander level talks began at 10 am at the Moldo Meeting Point on the Chinese side.
The Indian side comprises Naveen Srivastava, Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs, besides officials from the defence and security establishment, and is led by 14 Corps Commander Lt Gen. P.G.K. Menon.
The Chinese delegation is being led by South Xinjiang military district chief Major General Liu Lin.
Army sources said the focus is on Depsang Plains, which has a wider strategic ramifications, and the post-April transgressions in Gogra and the Hot Springs areas.
It is felt that disengagement at Gogra and Hot Spring could be tackled first since an understanding had already been reached in July last year for the same.
However, China had not fully completed the disengagement process and sought to keep a small group of soldiers just within a few meters of the Indian perception of the LAC.
ThePrint in August last year reported that tensions at Depsang Plains can be traced to China’s 18-km incursion into the area, which is close to the strategic Daulat Beg Oldi base, in 2013, and during the 2017 Doklam stand-off.
Sources said the issue in the Depsang Plains relates to China blocking Indian patrol parties from accessing Patrol Points (PP) 10, 11, 11A, 12 and 13.
This is because Indian patrol has to go beyond a feature called bottle neck area on foot, beyond which vehicles can’t be taken.
Less than a kilometre after this is an area called ‘Y’ junction, which has two routes — one going to PP 10, 11, 11A and 12, and the other goes directly to PP 13.
“This is where the Chinese come on vehicles and stop the patrol team. If need be, India can either push through physically or take an alternate route. A decision was taken to talk this out. Similarly, India has blocked Chinese patrol to their claim line,” a senior defence official had earlier said.
‘Both sides blocking each other’s patrol’
The Chinese perception of LAC is beyond the bottleneck area (around 18-20 km from LAC) and just 1.5 km from Burtse, where the Chinese reached in 2015 during President Xi Jinping’s India visit.
“It is both sides blocking each other’s patrol and is actually from a time period much before the April 2020 tensions,” a third source said.
Both India and China have ramped up their military presence in the area.
The Depsang Plains come under India’s Sub Sector North (SSN), which is sandwiched between the Siachen Glacier on one side and Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin, on the other.
As reported by ThePrint, it was sometime in 2015-16, India carried out a full-fledged war game taking into account possible multiple Chinese thrust into the SSN, with a focus on the Depsang Plains.
India has created a separate brigade to look after SSN following the 2013 tensions.
Sources said this brigade is the most diverse of the Indian Army with multiple war elements being a part of it.
Terrorism was at peak in Punjab during those times
Photo for representation only. Source: iStock.
Vijay Mohan Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 20
It has taken the intervention of the Supreme Court for a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) to get his disability pension for an injury which he suffered in 1984.
Finally, bringing closure to the ordeal of a retired Subedar from Dasuya in Punjab, the Supreme Court this week dismissed an appeal filed by the defence authorities against a disability pension that had been granted to him on judicial adjudication.
Subedar Sadiq Masih of the Corps of Engineers suffered a permanent disability while he was riding a two-wheeler after sunset to avoid any encounter with terrorists when attending to an urgency during his casual leave.
Terrorism was at peak in Punjab during those times, and it was common for military and police personnel to be attacked during daytime.
The disability was declared “attributable to military service” by the statutory Court of Inquiry and also by the brigade commander, but disability benefits were refused to him by administrative authorities stating that the disability was suffered during leave.
By discussing the scope and the length and breadth of rules and relying upon directions of the Supreme Court and the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Chandigarh Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal comprising Justice MS Chauhan and Lt Gen Munish Sibal granted him relief in 2017.
Rather than releasing benefits, the Tribunal’s decision was challenged by the government in the Supreme Court which dismissed the appeal filed against the disabled Subedar this week.
He had retired from service in 2005.
Sources familiar with these matters said that despite directions by the Defence Minster and the Defence Secretary, insensitive and controversial appeals were being filed in many instances by defence authorities in cases involving disabled soldiers where the benefit granted was minuscule when compared to the amount spent by the government on litigation.
In the year 2016, the then defence minister, Manohar Parrikar, had accepted the recommendations of a high level Committee of Experts which had recorded that further appeals in individual cases must not be filed on subjects that have attained finality at the level of the High Court or Supreme Court.
The Committee had termed multiple appeals against soldiers and other employees as “administrative egotism”.
Candidates undergo a fitness test at an Army recruitment camp in Jammu on Saturday. PTI
Jammu, February 20
Around 40,000 youths have registered online for the ongoing Army recruitment rally, the first in the Jammu division after the outbreak of the Covid pandemic last year, a Defence spokesman said on Saturday.
The February 15-March 6 rally for recruiting various categories of soldiers is being conducted under the aegis of Tiger Division at the Sunjuwan Military Station here.
“The rally is being organised for the youths of all the 10 districts of the Jammu division. The Army Recruiting Office (ARO), Jammu, in close coordination with Shivalik Brigade, civil administration of the Jammu division and the J&K Police is conducting the ongoing rally in a smooth and transparent manner,” the spokesman said.
He said the General Officer Commanding, Tiger Division, Maj Gen Vijay B Nair, reviewed the conduct of the recruitment rally on Saturday.
The GOC was briefed by Brig AP Singh, Commander, Shivalik Brigade, and Director Recruiting, Jammu, about various arrangements, including security, anti-touting and Covid-related measures, the spokesman said.
This is the first Army recruitment rally in the Jammu division after the Covid-19 restrictions.
“An overwhelming response from the exuberant youths has been recorded and approximately 40,000 candidates have registered online. Covid-19 protocol is being followed during the rally by all participants and staff,” the spokesman said. — PTI
India, China hold military talks; focus on further disengagement in Ladakh
The meeting started at 10 am at the Moldo border point on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control
Photo for representation purposes. PTI file
New Delhi, February 20
India and China on Saturday held another round of military talks with a focus on taking forward the disengagement process in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang in eastern Ladakh and bring down the tensions in the region, official sources said.
The 10th round of Corps Commander-level talks are taking place two days after the Chinese and Indian militaries completed the withdrawal of troops, weapons and other military hardware from the North and South banks of Pangong Lake areas as part of an agreement.
The meeting started at 10 am at the Moldo border point on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control and it was continuing, sources said.
They said India would insist on a faster disengagement process in remaining areas like Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang to bring down tension in the region that has witnessed a tense standoff between the two militaries for over nine months.
“The focus of the talks is on carrying forward the disengagement process,” said a source.
On February 11, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced in Parliament that India and China reached an agreement on disengagement in the North and South banks of Pangong Lake that mandates both sides to “cease” forward deployment of troops in a “phased, coordinated and verifiable” manner.
Under the agreement, he said China would pull back its troops to east of Finger 8 areas in the northern bank of Pangong Lake while the Indian personnel would be based at their permanent base at Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3 in the region. Similar action would take place on the south bank of the lake as well, he said.
Sources said troops of both sides had retreated to positions that were agreed upon by both the sides.
The disengagement process began on February 10.
The Indian delegation at Saturday’s talks is being led by Lt Gen PGK Menon, the Commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps. The Chinese side was to be headed by Maj Gen Liu Lin, the commander of the South Xinjiang military district of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). PTI
US farmer groups deliver solidarity statement to Indian farmers
Signatories, however, concerned by several additional factors not included in this statement
Women farmers sit on a hunger strike at Ghazipur border during the farmers protest against Centres agri-laws in New Delhi, Saturday, February 20, 2021. PTI
Minneapolis, February 20
Eighty-seven farmer organisations and allied agroecology, farm and food justice groups in the United States delivered a solidarity statement in support of Indian farmers’ historic protests to Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a united front of over 40 Indian farmers unions.
In the statement, US groups express respect for the unified struggles of the farmers and farm workers and urge both US and Indian governments to support independent family farmers and localised food systems to protect food sovereignty and the livelihoods of millions.
“India’s farmers have mobilised to create one of the world’s most vibrant protests in history against unjust farm laws that will increase agribusiness’ stranglehold over their food system. They have rallied around a cry for the repeal of three laws — passed without farmers’ knowledge or consultation — that aim to liberalise Indian agriculture and food sectors, not only at the cost of farmers, but also the food security of India’s poor,” the statement said.
The signatories are concerned by several additional factors not included in this statement, such as the unconstitutional ways in which these laws were passed without following proper parliamentary rules and the Indian government’s use of authoritarian tactics to deny farmers’ right to dissent democratically.
The solidarity statement was co-sponsored by members of US farm, food and racial justice organisations, including the National Family Farm Coalition, Rural Coalition, Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, as well as diasporic Indians who continue to work with farmers groups in India.
“Liberalising markets without taking into account farmers’ political voice and protecting against concentrated buyer power makes a mockery of what markets should stand for; we denounce the three farm bills, the lack of consultation with farmers and their organisations, and stand in solidarity with the brave stance India’s farmers are taking,” says Sophia Murphy, executive director of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP).
“A majority of India’s farmers are hurting, and the draconian steps that the Indian state has taken in response to peaceful farm law protests (demanding assured returns on farm produce) and against those supporting the strike (such as the detention of 21-year-old Disha Ravi, co-founder of Fridays For Future in India) is making the fault lines of Indian democracy visible to the world. India is at a turning point: it can decide to honour the demands of its farmers or continue to stand by Indian billionaires who would benefit from these farm laws,” says Shiney Varghese, senior policy analyst at IATP.
One key demand of the protesting farmers is for farmers to receive a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops to limit the market power of buyers in highly unequal markets.
“The US-based signatories of the solidarity statement recognise the role the US government has played in creating the conditions that led to these repressive laws. The US has been a key opponent of India’s limited use of MSP at the World Trade Organisation, arguing that it represents an unfair subsidy. Yet, the US government spends tens of billions of dollars on its agriculture, much of it in programs that directly contribute to low prices and commodity dumping in international markets”, the statement said.
“Under the Biden administration, the US has a powerful opportunity to shift US trade policy to allow other countries to support fair markets for their farmers and shift its own agricultural policy to ensure parity and environmental and racial justice in the US,” it added.
“We are honoured to join the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Rural Coalition, Grassroots Global Justice, and 83 additional organisations standing in solidarity with the farmers and farm workers in India who have been protesting for 85 days to protect their minimum price guarantees. We have been forced to accept low farm prices and we support their demands for economic parity — fair prices and living wages — to defend their livelihoods, their food sovereignty and the future of their republic,” Jim Goodman, board president of the National Family Farm Coalition.
“The Rural Coalition, which has fought for four decades for the civil and human rights for all producers and farm workers in this nation, sends our strong support and deep respect to the heroic family farmers and farm workers of India as you stand united together to protect the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and stop government policies that destroy the livelihood and future of family farmers, farm workers and rural peoples,” says John Zippert, chair of Rural Coalition. IANS
Parvesh Sharma
Tribune News Service
Sangrur, February 20
The refusal of the Centre to repeal farm laws and violence in New Delhi have failed to dampen the spirit of Mahinder Singh (65), who has been designated as a Sangharshi Yodha by the Punjab Government as he remained in various jails during the Emergency.
Mahinder Singh has been attending the protest at the Tikri border since its start and convincing all against violence.
Was jailed during emergency
Mahinder Singh (65) has been given the title of Sangharshi Yodha by the Punjab Government as he remained in various jails during the Emergency.
“I know that my age does not allow me to sit here in a biting cold. The threat of the pandemic also looms large. But the Centre has compelled me and others to protest. I have remained in various jails in Ambala, Patiala, Nabha and Sangrur for many months during the Emergency in the country for opposing the dictatorial decision of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. I will not leave Tikri until the black laws are repealed,” he said.
When asked whether he sees any difference then and now, he says, “Things have changed a lot as that time, farmers were not united as we are now. After the police arrested me during the Emergency, my family faced many problems to locate me. Though protesters have become powerful these days, the mindset of rulers seems to be same.”
His family owns three acres in Ealwal village and he has two sons and both are married. He also accused the Punjab Government of not giving the complete debt relief to farmers after winning the elections.
“In my life I have never supported violence. We have right to protest here peacefully. We will win this battle too. Since the start of the agitation, I, along with other elders, have been trying to convince youngsters to maintain peace because the government will definitely try to provoke us to weaken our agitation,” he said. He has been staying near pole number 36 at the Tikri border along with residents of Khurana, Khurani and Kalaudi villages.
“We have lost many youngsters and elders, but the government seems unmoved. We must prepare for a long but peaceful protest rather than waiting for a call from the government,” he said.
Pakistan: KPK government to restore 19th century Sikh gurdwara Sikh gurdwara in Mansehra district was built during the reign of Sikh ruler Hari Singh Nalwa
The provincial government in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has taken custody of a 19 century gurdwara built during the reign of Sikh ruler Hari Singh Nalwa, to renovate and open it for devotees.
Presently, the Sikh gurdwara in Mansehra district is closed and acts as a makeshift library, officials said.
The provincial Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department has recommended the local government to take up the restoration proposal with the Evacuee Property Trust Board (EPTB) in Lahore.
The EPTB is a statutory board that manages religious properties and shrines of Hindus and Sikhs who had migrated to India following the partition.
Hari Singh Nalwa (1791–1837) was the commander of the Sikh Empire. He is remembered for the battles in Kasur, Sialkot, Attock, Multan, Kashmir, Peshawar and Jamrud. Over 56 buildings, including forts, towers, gurdwaras and tanks, are said to be built under his direct supervision. PTI
All set for mega rally against farm laws in Barnala today
Rally preparations under way at Barnala. Tribune photo
Vishav Bharti
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 20
Barnala gears up to witness one of the biggest protest rallies ever organised by any farmer union in Punjab.
The rally against three farm laws is being organised by the BKU (Ugrahan) and the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union tomorrow. The organisations claim it is to be attended by over two lakh people at Barnala’s grain market. “One person needs at least four square feet, so we have laid mats on nine lakh square feet,” says Sukhdev Singh Kokri, general secretary of the union.
Cops on toes
The police are on their toes to make arrangements for smooth traffic movement
Police officials from outside the district have also been called
The traffic is to be managed by six SPs, 12 DSPs and 300 constables
Cops have prepared a special map for traffic diversions
Apart from that four acres near the dais have been reserved for tea langar preparation. “Instead of serving at one place, we will try to serve tea among the people sitting in the venue,” said Kokri.
He said it was not possible to make arrangements for food, so they have asked people to bring their food along. “Some villages may arrange langar as well,” he said.
There will be around 1,000 volunteers who will help for the success of the rally. The organisations are expecting 6,000 vehicles, which will ferry people to the venue.The district administration is concerned about the traffic management. The union has deputed around 300 volunteers for the smooth movement of vehicles and parking. Apart from that, 400 have been deputed for the security of the stage and serving water and tea to people attending the ‘maha rally’.
The Barnala police are on their toes to make arrangements for the smooth movement of traffic. Police officials from outside districts have also been called. The traffic is to be managed by six SPs and 12 DSPs and 300 constables. The police have prepared a special map for traffic diversions.
Senior vice-president of the union Jhanda Singh Jaithuke said the rally was to be attended by people from 1,600 Malwa villages. “We are expecting 70,000 people from Sangrur district alone and around 50,000 from Barnala. There will be a huge participation of women,” he said.
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Farmer leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan addresses the kisan mahapanchayat at the Rally Ground in Sector 25 on Saturday. Pradeep Tewari
