Farmers in Haryana take to roads to protest farm Bills

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 25

Farmers in Haryana on Friday began their protest as part of the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call against the contentious farm bills that were recently passed in the Parliament.

As many as 31 farmer organisations, under the aegis of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), have joined hands for the complete shutdown in Punjab.

Several organisations in Haryana, including the BKU, have also extended support to the nationwide strike called by some farmers’ bodies against the bills.

Farmers in Karnal blocked roads in Assandh and Nissing. Besides, they blocked the Karnal-Meerut road near the sugar mill.

In Yamunanagar, farmers under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Union blocked railway tracks near Mehrampur village of the district to show their support to the fellow farmers.

In Zirakpur, farmers held a protest by blocking the Chandigarh-Ambala highway during the protest at Bhankharpur village.

The Bhartiya Kisan Union farmers during their ‘chakka jam’ at the Delhi-Noida border shouted slogans against the Centre for clearing the “anti-farmer” Bills.

In Hisar, agitated farmers staged a protest demonstration outside the residence of Haryana Minister Anoop Dhanak.

Police personnel in adequate strength were deployed across the state to maintain law and order, officials said.

Farmers at several places in the state started gathering at roads for stopping the movement of traffic.

In Rohtak, farmers led by independent MLA from Meham Balraj Kundu blocked the Delhi-Hisar National Highway No. 9 at Bhaini Maharajpur village.

Shopkeepers had been appealed to keep their shops shut in support of farmers.

Hundreds of farmers in Kalka and Pinjore also took out a tractor march against the Central Government over the three farm Bills.

Haryana Bhartiya Kisan Union president Gurnam Singh Chaduni also addressed a gathering of protesting farmers in Pinjore. Congress leaders, including Kalka MLA Pardeep Chaudhary, have also extended their support to farmers, who are protesting against the three farm bills.

The protesters have expressed apprehension that the Centre’s farm reforms would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system and they would be at the “mercy” of big corporates. The farmers said they would continue their fight till the three farm bills were revoked.

The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill were passed by the Parliament earlier this week.