Beas farmers block highway for fourth consecutive day

Beas, Dec 10 (ANI): Farmer and labour unions continue to block a highway over a demand to waive off electricity bills and loans as stated in an election manifesto that promised to benefit the agricultural sector.

They also continue to demand a subsidy on water.

The Grand Trunk Road which passes through Beas, remained closed and traffic had to be diverted to other link roads.

Due to the diversion there was a traffic bottleneck on link roads leading to Delhi from Amritsar.

Hardeep Singh, a protesting farmer said, "Our family will come here and sit in protest. The government will then face the consequences of breaking the promises made to the farmers. The farmers are debt ridden. We will sacrifice our lives but will not budge from here, even if we have to die with our family we will not leave the place."

Police were deployed along the highway to prevent the protests from turning violent.

Superintendent of Police Harjeet Singh Brar said the state government is yet to take any decision on the fate of agitating farmers.

Farmers and labourers have threatened to stay put until the authorities address their issues. (ANI)