Kisan Sabha demands amendments to Wildlife Act, threatens action if Union govt. fails to act

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has demanded immediate amendments to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to safeguard farmers from increasing wild animal attacks.

“If the Union government fails to declare animals like wild pigs and monkeys as pests and initiate effective control measures, farmers will be forced to take the law into their own hands,” the AIKS leaders told mediapersons on Monday after concluding the two-day national council meeting held at E.K. Nayanar Academy.

AIKS general secretary Vijoo Krishnan criticised successive Congress and BJP-led Union governments for implementing wildlife policies that made it impossible for farmers to protect their crops and property.

“The Centre’s policy failures are pushing farmers to the brink,” AIKS leaders said.

The Sabha also lashed out at the Centre for signing free trade agreements with the U.K., EU, the U.S. and New Zealand without parliamentary debate, calling it a violation of federal principles.

“These FTAs are detrimental to Indian farmers and will be strongly opposed during a national strike on July 9,” the leaders said.

AIKS further announced a solidarity campaign from July 26 to August 5 to support Cuba, which is under U.S. sanctions. Contributions collected during this campaign will be sent to aid the Cuban people.

AIKS president Ashok Dhawale, finance secretary P. Krishna Prasad, vice-presidents E.P. Jayarajan and others were present. The Sabha currently has a membership of 1,53 crore across 27 State and Union Territories.