AGARTALA: The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) staged a protest demonstration at Battala in the capital on Wednesday, demanding the cancellation of the proposed India-US trade agreement, with effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump being burnt during the programme.
The demonstration was part of a nationwide protest called by the SKM against the proposed India-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and other trade pacts. The farmers’ body has also written to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her to intervene and instruct the Prime Minister not to sign the agreement.
Farmer leaders at the Agartala protest echoed the SKM’s national stand, alleging that the trade pacts, negotiated without adequate transparency, threatened to compromise the country’s economic self-reliance and sovereignty. They demanded that the negotiations be made public and discussed in Parliament before any final agreement is signed.
Protesters carried banners and raised slogans against the Centre, warning that reduced import duties and market access for foreign goods could severely affect domestic farmers, small industries and traditional livelihoods.
The demonstration passed off peacefully, with organisers stating that similar protests were being held across the country as part of the SKM’s coordinated campaign, and warning of intensified agitation if the government proceeded with the agreement without addressing farmers’ concerns.