Farmers owing allegiance to Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta and Ugrahan) today launched a five-day protest before district complexes across the state demanding loan waiver and against "anti-farmer" policies of the state and the Union government.
BKU (E) General Secretary Sukhdev Singh said the farmers hold both Punjab and central government responsible for "increasing number of farmers' suicides".
"These suicides cannot be stopped until and unless crop loans and other cooperative loans are waived," he said.
The farmers criticised Badal and Centre for their "failure" to provide Rs 5 lakh compensation to the families of farmers who committed suicide.
They also demanded immediate payment for the wheat crop procured by various Government agencies.
They threatened to intensify their struggle if the government fail to accept their demands.
