New Delhi: The call for the bandh has been given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of over 40 farm unions, spearheading the farmers’ agitation against three central agri laws, which were enacted in September last year.
Trade unions stage protest at Jantar Mantar in support of farmers
A section of the trade unions and civil society groups held a protest at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with the “Bharat Bandh” called by farmers against three agriculture laws of the Centre. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of over 40 farm unions spearheading the agitation against the tree contentious laws, had appealed to people on Thursday to join the bandh. Holding banners that read “Long Live Farmers Unity”, demanding a repeal of the three farm laws and equal opportunities for all, the protesters held a march at Jantar Mantar.
Bharat Bandh received unprecedented response: SKM
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha in a statement said, “The Bharat Bandh has received an unprecedented response so far, beyond anyone’s expectations. Complete shut-down has been reported in states like Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, Bihar, where all kinds of institutions, markets and transport have been closed. The call for Bharat Bandh has received extensive support in Rajasthan, UP, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, TN, Karnataka and MP. Reports are awaited from other parts of the country.”
Farmers block highways, squat on railway tracks at many places in Punjab, Haryana
Normal life was hit as farmers blocked highways, roads and squatted on railway tracks at many places in Punjab and Haryana on Monday in view of a “Bharat Bandh” called by farm unions against three agriculture laws of the Centre. In Punjab, the ruling Congress said it firmly stands by the farm unions’ “Bharat Bandh” call against the three contentious laws. The shutdown was almost complete in the state, with transport services suspended during the bandh period, while shops and other commercial establishments remained shut at most places. National and state highways in several districts, including Amritsar, Rupnagar, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Sangrur, Mohali, Ludhiana, Ferozepur, Bathinda, were blocked by the protesters. In neighbouring Haryana, the protesters blocked highways in Sirsa, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Hisar, Charkhi Dadri, Karnal, Kaithal, Rohtak, Jhajjar and Panchkula districts. The protesting farmers squatted on railway tracks at many places in the two states. Ferozepur’s Divisional Railway Manager Seema Sharma told PTI that some passenger trains have been cancelled while some other services have been rescheduled.
Bharat Bandh: RJD, Cong workers block highways, rail in Bihar
Highways, roads and railway tracks were blocked in several places across Bihar on Monday as Bharat Bandh evoked a mixed response in the state. RJD and Congress workers blocked roads in Patna, Bhojpur, Lakhisarai, Jahanabad, East Champaran, Begusarai, Madhepura and Nalanda districts, affecting the movement of the traffic. In Patna, RJD workers blocked the road near Buddha Smriti Park, burning tyres in protest against the three farm laws. However, they were swiftly removed, a police officer said. RJD and CPI members also blocked railway lines in Patna, Ara, Jahanabad and Madhepura. “Adequate security personnel have been deployed at railway stations and other sensitive places in the state to check any untoward incident,” an official said. Markets were open, while government and private offices registered usual attendance. Public transport also remained largely unaffected.
Activists of the Congress, Left parties, TDP and others on Monday held protests at various places in Telangana in support of the Bharat Bandh called by farmers unions to protest against the Centre’s three agri laws. Raising slogans against the NDA government at the Centre and TRS government in Telangana, the opposition activists organised protests outside bus stations at different places in the state to prevent the buses from plying. Protests were held in the districts of Vanaparthi, Nalgonda, Nagarkurnool, Adilabad, Rajanna-Sircilla, Vikarabad and others. Former Congress MLA Rammohan Reddy, along with leaders of other opposition parties, held a protest at Parigi near here. The opposition activists slammed the NDA government over the three agri laws, attempts to “sell off” PSUs and rising fuel prices.
Farmer dies at Singhu border, police say death due to heart attack
A farmer has died at the Singhu border in Haryana. Police have said the death was caused by a heart attack. Further details will be shared after post-mortem, police said.
Protesters agitating against the three farm laws have broken a police barricade in the Anna Salai area of Chennai, in support of the Bharat Bandh called by farmer organisations today. The protesters have been detained by the police.
The Haryana government has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court informing the court that protesting farmers have not met the panel set up to resolve the road blockade issue. The Haryana government told the court that efforts are being made to persuade farmers not to block roads and national highways — posing difficulty to the public. India Today
