Punjab, Iraqi Farmers Protest Stubble Fire FIRs, Water Restrictions Amid Floods, Drought

Farmers in Punjab have launched statewide protests against the government filing over 1,000 FIRs and imposing fines for stubble burning, arguing that such punitive measures are unfair given their financial struggles following devastating floods. They demand compensation of ₹70,000 per acre for damaged crops, support for lost livestock and laborers, seeds, and more time to clear flood-deposited sand, while opposing government crackdowns on stubble burning. The protests included burning effigies of the Punjab and central governments and warnings of intensified agitation if punitive actions continue. Meanwhile, a special awareness campaign in Punjab villages educated farmers about the environmental and health hazards of stubble burning and promoted sustainable straw management. In Iraq, hundreds of farmers protested against government restrictions on land cultivation aimed at preserving dwindling water supplies amid severe drought, demanding compensation and water allocation to sustain their livelihoods. The water scarcity crisis is exacerbated by reduced river flows due to drought and upstream dams, threatening agriculture and food security in the region.