Chandigarh: Farmers across Punjab intensified their protest on Tuesday by making toll plazas across the state toll-free, allowing vehicles to pass without paying toll charges. The move was part of a statewide agitation against the government’s proposed Land Pooling Policy and other long-pending demands of farmers.

Several farmer groups staged sit-in protests at toll plazas, including the Ladowal Toll Plaza in Ludhiana, one of the busiest and highest-revenue toll points in Punjab. Protesters raised slogans against the government and stopped toll collection during the demonstration, providing relief to commuters travelling through these routes.

Farmers Oppose Land Pooling Policy

The main demand behind the protest is opposition to the state’s Land Pooling Policy, which farmers claim could impact agricultural land and the livelihood of farming communities.

Farmer leaders have alleged that the policy could lead to the transfer of fertile agricultural land to private entities and corporate groups. They have warned that they will continue their agitation until their concerns are addressed by the government.

The protest was announced earlier by Jagjit Singh Dallewal, national convener of the non-political Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM Non-Political) and president of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur), who had called for toll plazas across Punjab to be made toll-free on July 14.

Farmers Raise Concerns Over Trade Deal and Land Issues

Apart from the land pooling policy, farmers have also raised concerns over issues related to alleged irregularities in land mortgage cases and demands linked to land mortgage banks.

Farmer groups have also expressed opposition to the proposed India-US Free Trade Agreement, claiming it could negatively impact the agricultural sector and create challenges for local farmers.

Ladowal Toll Plaza Sees Large Gathering

A large number of farmers gathered at the Ladowal toll plaza in Ludhiana, where vehicles were allowed to pass without toll payments during the protest. Farmer leaders said the demonstration would remain peaceful and that toll collection would not be allowed until the announced protest period.

The agitation comes amid growing concerns among farmers over land policies and agricultural issues in Punjab. Protest leaders have described the protest as a fight to protect farmers’ land rights and interests.