Prominent Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan has refused to participate in the scheduled talks with the government, citing unfavorable conditions. Ugrahan, who leads the Bharti Kisan Union Ekta Ugrahan (BKU Ugrahan), laid down three key demands before agreeing to engage in dialogue: the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the immediate release of all arrested farmers and leaders, and compensation for damage to property.
Ugrahan’s decision follows police actions on March 19, where leaders from the Shambhu and Kanauri Morcha protests were arrested and protesters were forcibly evicted. He claimed that belongings were discarded in fields, and some were even stolen. Ugrahan said the protests continued, with more arrests taking place outside Deputy Commissioner offices, while the Punjab Government extended the invitation for talks.
The leader also referred to a meeting with the Chief Minister on March 3, which was abruptly cut short when Mann walked out. He questioned the appropriateness of a meeting under such conditions, emphasizing the need for a conducive environment for dialogue.
BKU Ugrahan also raised concerns about the plight of detained farmers, stating that their tractor-trailers and belongings were left unattended. The organization is still trying to determine how many of its leaders have been arrested. They are demanding the immediate release of all detained leaders and the return of their confiscated property.
Due to these concerns, BKU Ugrahan decided not to attend the meeting scheduled for 4 pm. However, the organization reaffirmed its openness to talks once its conditions are met. In the meantime, they announced a day-long demonstration in Chandigarh on March 26 and requested the government to allocate a protest site.
Sources revealed that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann would not be available for the meeting, as he is scheduled to attend a delimitation meeting in Chennai with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.
Reacting to the development, SKM non-political leader Guramneet Singh Mangat accused the government of using a “divide and rule” tactic, suggesting that the government is trying to weaken the farmer movement by inviting only SKM, fearing a unified protest could challenge their position.
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