Notably, the SKM was not part of the dharna organised by the SKM (Non-Political) and the KMM at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders but supported all their demands. First time since the 2020-21 protest on the Delhi borders against the now-repealed three farm laws, farmer unions across forums, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), will protest on March 28 the police action against farmers by the Punjab government outside Deputy Commissioners’ offices in all 23 districts of the state. The decision was made at a meeting of the six-member unity committee of the SKM (Punjab) held in Barnala on Tuesday.
The SKM demands included the unconditional release of all arrested farmers and leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on hunger strike at Rajindra Medical College and Hospital, the return of impounded tractors, trolleys, and other seized equipment, and compensation to farmers for their losses by the Punjab government.
SKM national coordination committee member Raminder Singh Patiala, one of the members of the SKM unity committee, said, “Though SKM (Non-Political) and KMM members couldn’t participate in the meeting in Barnala due to some reasons, they interacted with us over the phone and extended their support to the SKM’s March 28 protest Notably, the SKM was not part of the dharna organised by the SKM (Non-Political) and the KMM at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders but supported all their demands.
Since November 2024, the SKM (Non-Political) and the KMM have been communicating about unity among the three forums but have failed to reach an agreement. In the past, they have supported each other’s protest calls on several occasions. But after the Punjab government crackdown on farmers at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, this will be their first protest together. KMM leader Baldev Singh Zira said, “The KMM and the SKM (Non-Political) will participate in the anti-repression protest outside Deputy Commissioners’ offices on March 28, as declared by the SKM.