Punjab farmers dump potatoes on road in Mohali, demand remunerative price for crop

Chandigarh: Farmers of Punjab on Tuesday dumped potatoes on a road in Mohali, demanding a remunerative price for their crop. [caption id=“attachment_3538033” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. PTI[/caption] The protestors here accused the Congress government in Punjab of failing to resolve the farmers’ plight. “Potato growers have been facing losses due to the low prices of the tuber crop. Now farmers are left with no option except to dump potatoes on the roads,” said Bhartiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal) general secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal on Tuesday. Heavy police force was deployed near the Chandigarh-Mohali border to stop the protestors from moving to Chandigarh and gherao the official residence of Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh. During the protest, the farmers called for exporting potatoes, which they say have no buyers in Punjab even when sold for as little as Rs 1 per kilogram. “There is a good demand for this crop in other countries and its export will ensure good prices to farmers,” said Lakhowal. Meanwhile, the protest caused a big problem for the commuters, especially two-wheelers, as the road turned slippery because of the dumping of potatoes. The agitation, which entered its second day on Tuesday, saw the protestors on Monday raising concerns of sugar-cane growers which includes the payment of dues – amounting to Rs 100 crore – by the state government. “We will continue to hold protest till our demands are met,” said Lakhowal.