CHANDIGARH, Nov 24: Farmers demonstrating on a national highway in Jalandhar demanding an increase in sugarcane prices on Friday decided to end their stir after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assured them of “good news” in the coming days.
The decision of the farmers came on the fourth day of their demonstration after a meeting here between union leaders and the chief minister, which last for more than 90 minutes, ended on a positive note.
The farmers had blocked the Jalandhar national highway. They had also stepped up their protest by blocking a railway track on Thursday, but this blockade was lifted as soon as the Punjab Government announced the meeting.
“The good thing is that they (farmer union leaders) have stated that the blockade from the rail track has been lifted and while the service road of the (Jalandhar) highway is operational, the main highway will also be cleared now,” Mann, a senior AAP leader, said.
Farmers had been staging a ‘dharna’ in the middle of the Jalandhar-Phagwara section of the highway, and this affected traffic between Jalandhar and Delhi.
Talking to reporters, both Mann and the union leaders said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere.
Though Mann did not reveal what would be the new state advised price for sugarcane, he said that “as far as increasing the rate of sugarcane goes, Punjab has always been ahead”.
“In the coming days, sugarcane farmers will get good news regarding rate and compensation for losses they incurred due to floods earlier this year,” he said.
Mann also said a meeting with other stakeholders, including sugar mill owners, will be held on Saturday.
“Solution has been found, within one or two days new announcements will be made,” the Chief Minister said. (PTI)
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