JIND: Farmers recalled the biggest ‘goli kand’ (bullet incident) on Saturday popularly known as ‘Kandela kand’ in Haryana by observing 22th death anniversary of nine farmers who had lost their lives in bullet injuries. Farmers held a meeting at Gulkani village of Jind district which falls in Hansi-Hisar road to pay tribute to deceased farmers which was attended by BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait, BKU (Nain) state president Joginder Nain Rattan Maan, Ravi Azad and many other leaders.Notably, during the Indian national lokdal’s (INLD) regime led by former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, as many as 9 persons had been killed and several were injured in bullet injuries at Gulkani village on June 1, 2002 over a protest of electricity bills of fields.
Giving details, Ramraji Dhull, BKU spokesperson informed that farmers started ‘Bijli aandolan’ (electricity agitation) in 1991 during the regime of late chief minister Bhajan Lal after the latter reduced electricity to two and half hours and increased power rate. Thereafter, as many as 17 farmers had been killed during his stint from 1991 to 1996 in Haryana but the protest continued. Subsequently, Bansi Lal formed the government but stalemate couldn’t be resolved and eight farmers lost lives in that government. As many as 37 farmers had been killed by police action from 1991 to 2002 but farmers didn’t get justice, he added.
Further, he added, before forming government in 2000, then chief minister OP Chautala had promised to waive off the debt of electricity as farmers had left to pay bills. But when he formed the government Chautala refused to meet his promise following which farmers had started an agitation by blocking roads in Kandela village of Jind district. Police opened thousands of bullets in this village leaving injuries to over 60 farmers. However, farmers were protesting in Gulkani village of this district in support of ongoing protest where police opened fires which led to the death of nine farmers but Chautala didn’t fulfill his promise, he said.
However, when Congress formed government in 2005 he waived off Rs 1600 crore debt of farmers and compensated family members of those who lost their life in 2002 agitation. Today, farmers recalled the worst memory received by farmers during different stints of political leaders in Haryana and paid tribute to them, he maintained.
Rakesh Tikait said that farmers will continue to raise their demands of legal guarantee for minimum support price for crops in the nation beside implementation of Swaminathan report.
Giving details, Ramraji Dhull, BKU spokesperson informed that farmers started ‘Bijli aandolan’ (electricity agitation) in 1991 during the regime of late chief minister Bhajan Lal after the latter reduced electricity to two and half hours and increased power rate. Thereafter, as many as 17 farmers had been killed during his stint from 1991 to 1996 in Haryana but the protest continued. Subsequently, Bansi Lal formed the government but stalemate couldn’t be resolved and eight farmers lost lives in that government. As many as 37 farmers had been killed by police action from 1991 to 2002 but farmers didn’t get justice, he added.
Further, he added, before forming government in 2000, then chief minister OP Chautala had promised to waive off the debt of electricity as farmers had left to pay bills. But when he formed the government Chautala refused to meet his promise following which farmers had started an agitation by blocking roads in Kandela village of Jind district. Police opened thousands of bullets in this village leaving injuries to over 60 farmers. However, farmers were protesting in Gulkani village of this district in support of ongoing protest where police opened fires which led to the death of nine farmers but Chautala didn’t fulfill his promise, he said.
However, when Congress formed government in 2005 he waived off Rs 1600 crore debt of farmers and compensated family members of those who lost their life in 2002 agitation. Today, farmers recalled the worst memory received by farmers during different stints of political leaders in Haryana and paid tribute to them, he maintained.
Rakesh Tikait said that farmers will continue to raise their demands of legal guarantee for minimum support price for crops in the nation beside implementation of Swaminathan report.