The Punjab Farmers’ Union has finally ended its over 17-hour-long protest on GT Road against agriculture tax and elimination of subsidy on electricity.
The farmers called off the sit-in after assurances from government officials that all of their demands would be accepted and an official notification would be issued on the next working day. The farmers were demanding that they be charged under old rates – Rs 18,000 per tube well. The farmers also threatened that if an official notification in favour of their demands was not issued by Tuesday, they would resume the protest more robustly. After getting assurances, the Punjab Farmers’ Union officially ended the sit-in and cleared GT Road for smooth travel of the trapped motorists.
Earlier, Punjab Farmers Union blocked GT Road in Okara and continued the sit-in for 17 hours. Farmers from 20 districts gathered on the highway to protest against agriculture tax and the elimination of subsidy on power and tube wells. The protesting farmers said that skyrocketing inflation had compelled them to face famine or come out on roads in protest.
Due to the prolonged protest on the key highway, queues of stranded vehicles stretched over miles, as a large number of travellers including children and women were trapped helplessly on the road. Several ambulances carrying patients were also trapped in the traffic jam.
Local police baton charged the protesters apart from firing tear gas shells, but failed to disperse the farmers.
Later, several government officials arrived to engage the farmers in talks and persuade them for ending the sit-in, but failed to give assurance on accepting their demands. After failed talks with officials, the farmers announced that they would continue the sit-in until their demands are accepted. Finally, they agreed to believe the officials’ word, and ended the sit-in.
