Farmers block roads in 18 States to protest agri laws
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The largest gatherings had been in Punjab and Haryana, with a whole lot of agitating farmers in each States squatting on roads
Stepping up their protests in opposition to the three recently-passed agriculture laws and the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill, farmers in 18 States blocked roads and staged demonstrations at greater than 2,500 places on Thursday, in accordance to leaders from the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), who had referred to as for the “chakka jaam” agitation. They estimated that 5 lakh farmers had participated countrywide, including that the agitation was solely a precursor to plans to mobilise in the capital later this month.
The largest gatherings had been in Punjab and Haryana, with a whole lot of agitating farmers in each States squatting on roads, together with National and State Highways from midday until 4 p.m., hampering vehicular visitors. The protests had been, nonetheless, peaceable and no untoward incident was reported. Members of farmer outfits had been seen shouting slogans in opposition to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central authorities.
“We staged ‘dharnas’ and blocked roads at least at 200 places to register our protest against the farm laws and the proposed amendment in the Electricity Act,” mentioned Jagmohan Singh, common secretary, Bhartaiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda) in Punjab.
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and (*18*) additionally noticed farmers and agricultural staff gathering in giant numbers. In Puducherry, some protestors had been detained by police, in accordance to photos and stories posted on social media. There had been protests in nearly all districts of Tamil Nadu.
“The protests clearly show a ‘One Nation, One Farmer-Protest’ phenomenon,” mentioned an AIKSCC assertion, mocking the Centre’s penchant for selling its personal schemes with a “one nation” theme. “This widespread protest has busted the myth that the Central Govt. has been spawning about the protests being localised. Farmers from Tamil Nadu to Punjab, Gujarat to Assam, gathered to make it clear that the highhandedness of the Central Govt. making laws for destroying the future of farmers, will not be tolerated at the ground level.”
“We do believe pressure is mounting. But this is only the trailer to our Dilli Chalo protest on November 26 and 27. We expect 1 lakh farmers from Punjab and 50,000 from Haryana to head towards the capital with more than 30,000 tractors,” mentioned AIKSCC chief Avik Saha. “All 10 entrance roads to Delhi will most likely be blocked. If we are stopped by the police, we will sit down where we are. This time, Punjab farmers will be coming with a plan not to go back until their demands are met,” he added.
However, leaders of the Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh (RKMS), who mentioned they supported Thursday’s chakka jaam protest, had been extra uncertain about taking part in giant numbers in the march to Delhi. “For most farmers, it will be sowing season until December 10, so how can they leave their fields for so long? It may not be practical to have an indefinite protest at this time,” mentioned RKMS spokesperson Abhimanyu Kohar.
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