More protesters flock to borders
Parveen Arora and Ravinder Saini
Tribune News Service
Karnal/Jhajjar, January 31
The farmers’ agitation against the three farm laws continues to gain momentum after it seemed to have derailed following the Red Fort incident on January 26.
With fresh energy and hope, a large number of farmers from Punjab and Haryana are heading towards the Delhi borders everyday. National Highway-44 today witnessed a huge rush of SUVs, tractors, buses, cars and bikes, which were on their way to Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur.
A farmer, who was on his way to Tikri, said they were carrying enough ration and other essential items this time and would not return till their demands were fulfilled.
Navtej Singh from Ludhiana, who along with seven of his friends was on his way to Singhu in a tractor-trailer, said, “Whatever happened in Delhi on Republic Day was very saddening. The farmers didn’t want things to be like that. I too came back home on January 27, but after the appeal of BKU leader Rakesh Tikait, I got new energy.”
“Our tractor parade was aimed at showing unity to the Union Government, not to unfurl any flag at Red Fort. That incident was unfortunate. We request the government to repeal the three laws,” said Pritam Singh from Moga.
A dharna was also staged at the Bastara toll plaza. Rampal Chahal, president of the toll dharna committee, said, “We are protesting peacefully and will not disrupt vehicular movement. We request the government to accept our demands,” he added.
The protesters also flayed the government for suspending Internet services.
Meanwhile, residents of Dighal village today forced the authorities to suspend toll collection on the Jhajjar-Rohtak highway. It had resumed operations three days ago. However, another toll plaza near Rohad on the Rohtak-Delhi highway remains non-functional.
Members of Jakhar khap also reached Tikri to express their solidarity with the farmers. Earlier, they held a meeting at Ladayan village here. They announced to stay put at the border.
On the other hand, fuel station dealers along with residents of nearby villages held a meeting near the Shahjahanpur border on the Delhi-Jaipur highway at Rewari. They urged the protesters to clear the highway as their business has been incurring losses. They urged the administration to get the highway vacated.
Mobile internet suspension extended
Chandigarh: The Haryana Government has extended the suspension of mobile internet services, bulk SMS services and all dongle services provided on mobile networks except voice calls in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat, Hisar, Jind, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Charkhi Dadri, Sonepat and Jhajjar districts till 5 pm on February 1.
Two farmers die
- Another farmer from Punjab died at the Tikri border in the wee hours on Sunday.
- The cause of death was yet to be ascertained.
- The deceased was identified as Ashu (32) of Birkalan village in Sangrur. His body was taken to the Civil Hospital in Bahadurgarh on Sunday morning.
- A 52-year-old farmer was found dead in his tent at Singhu on Sunday morning.
- The deceased was identified as Dilbagh Singh of Kohla village in Sonepat district. He was a volunteer at the protest site.
