Chandigarh, Nov 22 (IANS): A day after farmers launched protests at many places in Punjab in the middle of roads by pitching tents over their demand to increase procurement price for sugarcane crop to Rs 450 per quintal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday asked their leaders to stop the undue harassment of the common man.

In a statement here, the Chief Minister said the farm unions must desist from creating inconvenience to the common man, else the people will turn against them.

Mann said just for the sake of their vested interests the unions are harassing the people by blocking the roads, thereby jeopardising their routine lives, which is highly unfortunate.

He said the doors of his office and residence along with Punjab Bhawan, Punjab Civil Secretariat and office of the Agriculture Minister are always open for dialogue.

However, the Chief Minister said this "irresponsible attitude" of the farm unions to block the roads and harass the common man is completely unwarranted and undesirable.

He cautioned the farmer unions that if the unions do not mend their ways and shun these practices, then they won't find people to stand by their side.

Mann said the unions must realise the sentiments of the people and stop harassing them through such tactics.

The Chief Minister said this callous and irresponsible attitude of the farmers towards society is unwarranted and undesirable.