Ludhiana, May 1 -- The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Wednesday stated that it would hold protests in Jagraon, Bathinda and Sangrur on May 13 to highlight the state-led crackdown on "peaceful" movements. During a meeting in Ludhiana, farmer leaders Angrez Singh Bhadaur, Roop Basant Singh and Avtar Singh Mehalon said the aim was to also to create awareness about the increasing threat to democratic dissent. For the May 13 protests, preparatory meetings will be held on May 9, bringing together various farmer unions, workers' groups and civil society stakeholders, the leader said. The Punjab government had in March forced the farmers to vacate the Shambhu and Khanauri protest sites where they had been camping for over one year over MSP and other demands linked to the agrarian community. Reaffirming solidarity with the labour movement, the SKM announced support to the nationwide workers' strike on May 20, which is being organised to demand protection of the eight-hour workday and to oppose the central government's attempt to replace existing labour laws with four labour codes. "The codification of labour laws will benefit corporates and deepen the exploitation of workers," said Bhadaur. SKM leaders also condemned killing of innocent civilians in Pahalgam terrorist attack. htc...