On street there, offered as treat here

Sangrur/Chandigarh, June 2

Protesting farmers across the country dumped vegetables, milk and other farm produce on roads and blocked supplies to cities on Friday as they began a 10-day agitation to press for their demands, including a loan waiver and adequate prices for crops.
But farmers of Bhullarheri village in Punjab’s Sangrur district chose to give away vegetables for free and put up a milk “chabeel” (sweetened water) too.
On Saturday, they plan to collect milk from various sources in the village and cook kheer (rice pudding), which they intend to serve to the residents.
Their menu for the 10-day protest is almost ready with the final touches being given by a committee of enthusiastic youngsters.
“The village stands united. No one will supply milk or vegetables to adjoining Sangrur, Dhuri and Bhawanigarh towns,” said a determined Harpreet Singh, while Gurpreet Singh explained that their fight was not against city residents, but the government.
Balbir Singh Rajewal, president, Bharti Kisan Union (BKU), claimed the response in Punjab was good. “Our other key demands are a minimum income guarantee scheme, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report and a waiver of farmers’ debt,” he said.
Meanwhile, the police are keeping a close watch in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, where six farmers were killed in police firing during the farmers’ agitation on June 6 last year. The Mandsaur SP said five companies of the Special Armed Force (SAF) were keeping a vigil across the district.
The decision to stop supplies beginning June 1 was taken by farmers under the banner of Kisan Ekta Manch and Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh. A meeting of the coordination committee of these organisations, which claim to be representing 172 farmer outfits, was held last month.
Speaking to the media in Bhopal, Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh (RKMM) convener Shivkumar Sharma said the protest would end on June 10 with a “Bharat Bandh”. In Maharashtra, the 10-day farmers’ strike received a lukewarm response, with major farmer groups staying away from it.
Prominent organisations like the Left-wing All India Kisan Sabha and the Shetkari Sanghatana said they won’t participate in the strike as it could result in hardship to farmers.
Reports from Aurangabad, however, said the farmers dumped vegetables and milk on roads. Traders in Navi Mumbai claimed there was no disruption in supply of fruits and vegetables from various parts of the state.