Press Di Aazadi Bachao Sangharsh Committee extends support to SKM protest, issues strong warning to the government
MANSA: RTI activist Manik Goyal participated in the protest organised by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) at Mansa on behalf of the “Press Di Aazadi Bachao Sangharsh Committee” and expressed solidarity with the farmers’ movement.
On this occasion, Manik Goyal termed the opposition to the Electricity Amendment Bill, the Seed Bill, and the proposed changes to the MGNREGA Act as fully justified, stating that these laws constitute a direct attack on the rights of farmers, workers, and the general public.
Addressing the gathering, he stated that merely raising questions about a helicopter being operated during the Chief Minister’s absence led to the registration of cases under non-bailable sections against him, several journalists, and social activists. He described this as a dangerous assault on freedom of expression.
He further said that freedom of speech is being systematically suppressed in Punjab, but asserted that they will not remain silent and will continue to speak the truth.
Launching a sharp attack on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Manik Goyal stated that false promises were made one after another to farmers and other sections of society. Whether it was the announcement of MSP on all crops, a special promise regarding MSP for moong, bonus for direct seeding of paddy, compensation for floods, or the alleged excesses against farmers during the Shambhu Morcha, the government has failed on every front.
He alleged that during the Shambhu Morcha, farmers’ trolleys and belongings went missing and have not been recovered from the authorities till date.
Speaking on the law-and-order situation, he said that gunfire incidents are occurring daily in Punjab, gangsters are openly demanding extortion and newspapers are filled with reports of murders every day. It appears that the government has left the state at the mercy of gangsters.