Adani shuts Ludhiana logistics park, farmers continue siege

MUMBAI : The Adani group has closed its multi-modal logistics park at the dry port in Kila Raipur near here. While the farmer unions claim a victory, they will not end its siege until a rollback of the central agri-marketing laws.

Farmers accuse the government of working for a few corporate houses. Pargat Jamarai of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha constituent Jamhoori Kisan Sabha (JKS) said, “We have Adani’s property under siege for more than seven months because the government is selling  everything, including the public sector units, to these corporate giants. We’ll not let them open their silos and warehouses, while we’ll not harm the traders.”

He said, “We are happy that the pressure we applied forced the Adani group to remove its signs, even though it hasn’t wrapped up his business yet. It’s a small victory but a good
omen for ultimate triumph.” The farmer unionist claimed that 60-odd farmers joined the siege each day but 2,000 could be mobilised from Kila Raipur and its surrounding villages on short notice.”

The protesters include women mostly. The day the company pulled down its signs, they danced, raised victory slogans, and waved their flags. Janwaadi Istri Sabha Punjab president said, “The company has submitted in court that it has shut its Kila Raipur business, so it’s a win for those women who’d come to the protest site every after finishing household chores to support their men.”

She said, “On Teej, 400 women from 11 villages gathered here and sang inquilabi (revolutionary) songs. Any other corporate house that comes to replace Adani will also not be allowed to work. We’ll let only a government agency operate.” JKS district committee member Harnek Singh Gujjarwal said: “Yes, the signs are off and the staff of 50 has stopped coming to work but we aren’t moving from the main gate. The laws were made for them and until they are scrapped, we’ll fight.”

Source : The Times Of India