Farmers in Punjab stage protests over FIRs on stubble burning and pending flood aid

Farmers in Punjab staged protests across the state on Monday, demanding immediate compensation for flood-affected areas and action against FIRs and penalties related to stubble burning. The protests were led by Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and supported by several other farmer unions, including Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Azad), BKU (Krantikari), BKU (Doaba), and Kisan Mazdoor Hitkari Sabha. Demonstrators raised slogans, held rallies, and even burnt effigies of both the state and central governments to express their anger.

According to the farmer leaders, the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has failed to adequately address the needs of farmers suffering from natural calamities while simultaneously taking punitive actions against them for stubble burning. The protesters said that unless the government provides timely compensation and support, the agitation will escalate further.

Compensation demands and flood relief

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher highlighted the severe losses faced by farmers during the recent floods in Punjab. The state witnessed one of its worst floods in decades, caused primarily by swollen rivers, including Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi, along with seasonal rivulets overflowing due to heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, and Kashmir. Continuous heavy rains within Punjab also worsened the flooding.

Pandher demanded that the government pay at least ₹70,000 per acre for damage to paddy crops caused by the floods. He also called for 10% of this compensation to be given to farm labourers who assist in cultivation. The farmer leader emphasized the need for full compensation for livestock and poultry losses, as well as rehabilitation support for households damaged by the floods.

In addition, Pandher urged the government to provide seeds and fertilizers for sowing the upcoming wheat (rabi) crop and allow more time for clearing sand and silt deposited in fields due to flooding. He stressed that prompt action and support from authorities are essential for farmers to prepare for the next planting season.

Stubble-burning FIRs and farm support

Apart from flood relief, the protesters strongly criticized the state government’s crackdown on stubble burning, a practice used by farmers to quickly clear paddy fields before sowing wheat. FIRs are being registered, red entries are made in land records, and fines are imposed on farmers for burning crop residue. Pandher demanded that these punitive measures should stop immediately.

The farmer leader also proposed that the government provide ₹200 per quintal or ₹6,000 per acre as financial assistance for crop residue management. “If the crackdown on farmers does not stop, our agitation will intensify,” Pandher warned. Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often blamed for air pollution in Delhi during October and November, but farmers say they need a fast and cost-effective way to prepare their fields for wheat cultivation.

Protests were held in major districts such as Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Ferozepur, with thousands of farmers participating. They burnt effigies of government officials, raised slogans demanding immediate action, and called for transparency and fairness in the distribution of flood relief.

Pandher emphasized that both the state and central governments should understand the financial and operational pressures on farmers. Without timely support, he said, rural communities could face long-term losses that may affect crop cycles, livelihoods, and local economies.

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Broader farmer unity

The agitation also reflected broader unity among different farmer bodies in Punjab. Alongside Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, other unions like BKU (Ekta Azad), BKU (Krantikari), BKU (Doaba), and Kisan Mazdoor Hitkari Sabha joined the movement to pressurize the government into meeting their demands.

The farmers stressed that while environmental concerns like stubble burning are important, the government should provide alternative solutions and financial assistance rather than penalizing them during a critical time. They also requested proper planning and support for the rabi crop, which has a short window after paddy harvest.

Local residents and supporters joined the protests, highlighting the public sympathy for farmers affected by floods and government penalties. Farmers said that without urgent measures, both economic losses and social unrest could worsen in rural Punjab.

The government has not yet announced a timeline for flood relief compensation or changes in stubble-burning policies. Meanwhile, farmers continue to demand quick and fair action to address both immediate flood-related needs and longer-term agricultural challenges.