Tag: Farmers Protest

  • Farmers block expressway near Ghaziabad’s Dasna in protest against Centre’s farm laws

    By PTI
    GHAZIABAD: Farmers protesting against the Centre’s farm laws blocked both sides of the Eastern Peripheral Expressway near Dasna town here on Saturday.

    The call for a 24-hour blockade was given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of farmer unions spearheading the agitation.

    The blockade started at 8 am and will last 24 hours till Sunday morning.

    DIG Amit Pathak told PTI that the farmers parked their tractor-trailers on the expressway near Dasna town of the Masuri police station area.

    To prevent any untoward incident, security personnel were deployed in the area.

    The vehicles en route to Panipat and Sonipat were diverted from Khekhra towards Baghpat.

    Similarly, the vehicles going to Noida were diverted to the National Highway-9 from Hapur, Pathak said.

    On the other hand, the protesting farmers criticised the Centre for not withdrawing its contentious laws and raised anti-government slogans.

    Bharatiya Kisan Union media incharge Dharmendra Malik said their protest will continue at borders of the national capital till their demands are not met.

    Hundreds of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at three border points of Delhi — Singhu, Tikri (along Haryana), and Ghazipur–demanding a repeal of the three laws enacted by the Centre in September last year.

    The Centre says the new farm laws will free farmers from middlemen, giving them more options to sell their crops.

    The protesting farmers, however, say the laws will weaken the minimum support price (MSP) system and leave them at the mercy of big corporates.

  • Protesting farmers block Kundli Manesar Palwal expressway in Haryana

    By PTI
    CHANDIGARH: Intensifying their protest against the three farm laws, farmers blocked the Kundli Manesar Palwal expressway at some places in Haryana on Saturday.

    The blockade started at 8 am and would last 24 hours.

    The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of protesting farmer unions spearheading the agitation against the agriculture-related legislations, on Friday gave a call for a 24-hour blockade of the KMP expressway.

    The 136-km-long expressway is also known as the Western Peripheral Expressway.

    Protesting farmers, however, said emergency vehicles will be allowed to ply.

    Bhartiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal) general secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal said the blockade would be for 24 hours.

    Haryana Police in the meanwhile issued a traffic advisory, asking travellers to avoid the KMP expressway.

    Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Navdeep Singh Virk on Friday said elaborate arrangements were in place to maintain peace and order, prevent any kind of violence and facilitate traffic movement and public transport on the expressway.

    Traffic diversions have been planned by affected districts especially Sonipat, Jhajjar, Panipat, Rohtak, Palwal, Faridabad, Gurgaon and Nuh, Virk said.

    Passengers coming from Ambala/Chandigarh side on National Highway-44 may go towards UP’s Ghaziabad and Noida via Karnal to Shamli and from Panipat to Sanauli.

    Vehicles going towards Gurgaon and Jaipur can take National Highway-71A from Panipat and travel via Gohana, Rohtak, Jhajjar and Rewari.

    Hundreds of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at three border points of Delhi — Singhu, Tikri (along Haryana), and Ghazipur — demanding a repeal of the three farm laws enacted by the Centre in September last year.

    The Centre says the new farm laws will free farmers from middlemen, giving them more options to sell their crops.

    The protesting farmers, however, say the laws will weaken the minimum support price (MSP) system and leave them at the mercy of big corporates.

  • COVID-19: 80% patients in Punjab got UK variant, Harshvardhan says farmers’ protest causing surge

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Dr Harshvardhan on Tuesday said that 80 per cent of Covid-19 cases in Punjab has UK variant of the virus and asserted that the reasons behind the surge in fresh infections could be marriages, local body elections and farmer protests.

    “In Punjab, 80 per cent of the cases due to the UK variant have been found and it has been confirmed by genome sequencing. It has come to notice that this surge in cases is event-driven like big fat weddings, local body elections, farmer protest, etc could also play a possible role,” Vardhan said, during his meeting with Health Ministers of 11 states to review the COVID-19 situation.

    Genomic sequencing is an advanced test that determines the precise genetic information a virus carries as viruses mutate as they multiply and spread.

    ALSO READ: COVID-19 spreading faster than last time in India, next four weeks critical, says Centre

    Punjab is witnessing farmers’ protest since last year against the three newly enacted farm laws — Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

    The Union Health Minister also expressed concerns about the COVID-19 situation in Chattisgarh and described it as the worst affected state with 10 fold rise in coronavirus cases.

    “Worst affected states is Chattisgarh. Raipur and Durg are seeing a spike in cases. 20 per cent positivity rate and growth rate is 8 per cent from 400 to 4000 has risen, almost 10 folds,” Vardhan said.

    On the COVID-19 situation in Delhi, Vardhan said: “We have witnessed a declining trend for a very long time but now when the rising trend is being witnessed. Earlier less than 100 cases were observed (in a day), now the number has risen to 5,000 cases.”

    “The Government of India has sent 50 central teams to Maharashtra, Chattisgarh and Punjab where 30 districts of Maharashtra, 11 districts of Chattisgarh and 9 districts of Punjab will be covered. They will stay 3-5 days in these districts,” he informed.

    ALSO READ: IMA urges PM Modi to open COVID vaccination for all above 18 years

    Meanwhile, India reported more than 96,982 cases new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, informed the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday.

    With these additional cases, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 1,26,86,049.

    With 446 new deaths, the death toll in India has gone up to 1,65,547. There are 7,88,223 active cases in the nation as of now. Furthermore, 50,143 people were discharged after recovery on Monday, taking the nationwide recovery tally to 1,17,32,279. 

  • Attack on my convoy pre-planned by BJP workers: BKU supremo Rakesh Tikait

    By PTI
    ALIGARH: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait claimed on Saturday that the attack on his convoy of vehicles in Rajasthan’s Alwar was “pre-planned by BJP workers” and said it should serve as a reminder to the farmers protesting against three new agriculture laws of the Centre about the travails and challenges they are going to face in the days to come.

    Addressing a “kisan mahapanchayat” at Bhaimalkheda village in this Uttar Pradesh district, Tikait said such attacks “are, in fact, strengthening our resolve to further intensify our struggle, which is a battle for our existence”.

    Talking to reporters after the “mahapanchayat”, he said, “We are mentally prepared for more such incidents.”

    Stones were allegedly pelted at the convoy of Tikait, an influential farmer leader, in Rajasthan’s Alwar district on Friday, damaging the rear windshield of his car.

    Police had detained a student leader, who the BKU claimed belonged to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and accused the saffron party of being behind the attack.

    Addressing the “mahapanchayat” here, Tikait issued a call to the protesting farmers to be mentally prepared to continue with their agitation at least till the end of the year, when they would taste victory.

    He urged them to be mobile phone savvy so that they can be active on social media.

    Tikait, who held a “mahapanchayat” in Aligarh for the first time after the farmers’ agitation was launched in November last year, alleged that corporates had fully entrenched themselves in the present ruling dispensation, including the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

    He said how else can one explain the construction of huge grain depots and godowns in several parts of the country “even before the controversial farm laws came to existence”.

    The BKU leader said this itself provides conclusive evidence of the government’s intentions.

    He warned the farmers that even more draconian measures are on the anvil as far as the farm laws are concerned, including stringent regulations regarding crop seeds.

    Tikait alleged that under the proposed measures, farmers would be liable to be bound by pernicious terms and conditions, which would place them at the mercy of the seed-selling firms.

    He said the three laws would make it impossible for the farmers to enjoy the right to use the seeds of their choice and frustrate them to such an extent that they would be compelled to sell their land to corporates.

  • Farmers protest at Noida border against ‘attack’ on Rakesh Tikait

    By Express News Service
    NOIDA: Traffic movement was disrupted between Noida and Delhi through a key route on Friday evening after a group of farmers started protesting on the road stretch. The members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) demonstrated against the attack on their leader Rakesh Tikait in Rajasthan earlier on Friday.

    “The Chilla route between Noida and Delhi has been affected due to the demonstration. Commuters can use the DND (Delhi-Noida Direct) flyway or the Kalindi Kunj route for travelling,” a Noida Traffic Police official said.

    Due to the sudden closure of the route, several vehicles piled up on the busy road stretch at the Uttar Pradesh-Delhi border around 8 pm. Stones were allegedly pelted at the convoy Tikait in Alwar district, damaging the rear windshield of his car.

    Police have detained a student leader, who the Bhartiya Kisan Union claimed, belonged to ABVP, the student wing of the BJP, and accused the party of being behind the attack. Tikait, however, was not in his car when the stones were allegedly pelted, Bhiwadi Superintendent of Police Ram Murti Joshi said, adding no one was injured in the incident.

    The incident took place when Tikait’s convoy reached Tatarpur chauraha on its way to his second rally venue, the SP said, adding the farmer leader addressed two rallies in the district on Friday. He said Kuldeep Rai, a student leader of Alwar-based Matsya University, along with his supporters showed black flags when the cavalcade was passing.  “At this, some of the cars stopped and their occupants in the vehicles argued with them over the issue. Amid all this, the windshield of one car was damaged apparently in stone pelting,” the SP said.

  • BKU supremo Rakesh Tikait’s convoy attacked in Alwar, farmer leader blames BJP for attack

    Express News Service
    JAIPUR: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) supremo Rakesh Tikait’s car was allegedly attacked in Rajasthan’s Alwar on Friday. Stones were allegedly pelted at his convey, damaging the rear windshield.

    The incident reportedly occured in Tatarpur village of Alwar district. Tikait was on his way to Bansur from Harsora village of Alwar when his convoy was attacked. Tikait was going to Bansur after addressing a gathering in Harsora.

    The farmer leader was quick to share the information on Twitter wherein he blamed the BJP for the attack. Tikait tweeted, “Attacked by BJP goons at Tatarpur intersection of Alwar district of Rajasthan, Bansur Road. Death of democracy.” The farm leader even shared a video of a damaged car, saying that the attack was carried out by “BJP goons”.

    Police have detained a student leader, who the Bhartiya Kisan Union claimed, belonged to ABVP, the student wing of the BJP, and accused the party of being behind the attack.

    Tikait, however, was not in his car when the stones were allegedly pelted, Bhiwadi Superintendent of Police Ram Murti Joshi said, adding no one was injured in the incident.

    “At this, some of the cars stopped and their occupants in the vehicles argued with them over the issue. Amid all this, the windshield of one car was damaged apparently in stone pelting,” the SP said.

    BKU’s state president Rajaram Meel, who was accompanying Tikait, alleged that at least 40 to 50 people carrying sticks stopped the convoy and entered into an altercation with them.

    राजस्थान: अलवर में किसान नेता राकेश टिकैत के काफिले पर कुछ लोगों द्वारा कथित तौर पर हमले का मामला सामने आया है।राकेश टिकैत ने बताया, “पुलिस का पिस्टल छीनने की कोशिश की गई। पत्थर मारकर गाड़ी के शीशे तोड़ दिए गए, लाठी चलाई गई।” pic.twitter.com/eqLeYjYyge
    — ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) April 2, 2021

    Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot came out in support of the BKU leader and took to Twitter to slam the BJP for the alleged stone-pelting.

    Gehlot tweeted, “The attack on the convoy of  BKU leader Rakesh Tikait in Alwar by BJP folks is condemnable and action will be taken against the culprits. The BJP’s opposition to the farmers’ agitation through irresponsible statements reflects their anti-democratic attitude and is shameful.”

    After the incident, farmers blocked the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh Ghazipur border in protest. Tikait’s supporters blocked National Highway 9, but after a short while, traffic was restored through police intervention.

    Tikait has been spearheading the over four-month-long farmers’ agitation at the Delhi-Ghazipur border, against the three farm laws passed by the Centre last year.

    Last week, he had asserted that agitating farmers were prepared for a long haul and will relent only when their demands are met. Tikait and his supporters want the Centre to withdraw the farm laws and provide a legal guarantee on MSP.

    (With PTI inputs)

  • Ensure safety of BJP leaders: Punjab government to district authorities

    By PTI
    CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government has asked deputy commissioners and district police chiefs to ensure safety and security of BJP leaders during their scheduled programmes, a day after a party MLA was assaulted by a group of farmers protesting against the Centre’s agri laws.

    According to an order issued by the state home affairs department, additional personnel of the India Reserve Battalion, the Punjab Armed Police and commandos may be sought wherever required.

    BJP MLA from Abohar in Fazilka district Arun Narang was allegedly thrashed and his clothes ripped off by a group of protesting farmers in Muktsar’s Malout on Saturday.

    The BJP leader had gone to Malout to address a press conference.

    “All DCs (Deputy Commissioners) and SSPs (Senior Superintendents of Police) are directed to personally ensure that such an incident does not happen anywhere in the state in future,” according to the order issued by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) on Sunday.

    “In view of the extremely surcharged atmosphere when such BJP programmes are scheduled in your districts, DCs, CPs (Commissioners of Police), and SSPs must ensure the maintenance of public order and communal harmony and ensure the safety and security of visiting BJP leaders,” it said.

    After the Muktsar incident, the BJP had held protests at many places in the state against the attack on Narang.

    Several Punjab BJP leaders had even staged a sit-in outside the official residence of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh here on Sunday.

    Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore too had condemned the attack on Narang and had sought a report from the Congress-led government in the state.

    The governor had called up the Punjab Chief Minister, who holds the home portfolio, and conveyed his serious concern over the incident.

    Several political parties had already condemned the incident.

    BJP leaders in Punjab are facing the ire of farmers demanding the withdrawal of the Centre’s three new agricultural laws for the last four months.

    The agitating farmers have even disrupted programmes of BJP leaders on a few occasions.

  • Farmers celebrate ‘Holika Dahan’ by burning copies of Centre’s farm laws

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Farmers camping at Delhi borders on Sunday burnt copies of the Centre’s new farm laws they have been protesting against during ‘Holika Dahan’, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha said.

    The protesting farmers celebrated Holi at the borders and maintained that their agitation will continue till the farm laws are repealed and a separate law on minimum support price is enacted, it said in a statement.

    The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a joint front of farmer unions, also said that it will observe “FCI Bachao Diwas” on April 5, adding that offices of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) will be gheraoed from 11 am to 5 pm across the country.

    “The government has made several attempts to end the minimum support price (MSP) and public distribution system (PDS) indirectly. The FCI’s budget has also been reduced over the last few years. Recently, the FCI also changed the rules for procurement of crops,” the statement said.

    The SKM also condemned the passage of the Haryana Recovery of Damages to Property during Disturbance to Public Order Bill, 2021 by the Haryana Assembly, saying it aims to suppress agitations.

    “It contains dangerous provisions that would surely prove fatal to democracy,” the body added.

  • India’s history shows ‘satyagraha’ ends injustice, arrogance: Rahul Gandhi on Bharat Bandh

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India’s history shows that ‘satyagraha’ ends atrocities, injustice and arrogance, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday, expressing support for the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by farmer unions protesting the three agri laws.

    Farmer unions protesting the laws have called for a complete ‘Bharat Bandh’ from 6 am to 6 pm on Friday which marks four months of the farmer agitation on Delhi’s three borders — Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri.

    In a tweet in Hindi, Gandhi said India’s history shows that ‘satyagraha’ ends atrocities, injustice and arrogance. The movement should be in national interest and peaceful, the former Congress chief added.

    Hundreds of farmers have been camping at Delhi’s border points at Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri since November last year demanding that the Centre repeal the three contentious farm laws.

    Enacted in September last year, the three farm laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country.

    The protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and do away with the “mandi” (wholesale market) system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.

  • Bharat Bandh: Four Shatabdi trains cancelled as protesters block tracks

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Protesters squatted on railway tracks at 32 locations across Punjab and Haryana on Friday as part of the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by farmer unions protesting against agri laws, leading to disruption of rail traffic.

    A railway spokesperson said four Shatabdi trains have been cancelled and 31 other trains detained due to the protests.

    The 32 locations where train movement has been disrputed fall under the Delhi, Ambala and Ferozepur divisions of the railways.

    ALSO READ | Bharat Bandh: Traffic movement suspended on Ghazipur border 

    “As of 9 am kisan agitators are sitting at 32 locations. Total 31 trains have been detained so far. Four Shatabdi trains have been cancelled,” Northern Railways spokesperson Deepak Kumar said.

    The Samkyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called for the bandh from 6 am to 6 pm to mark four months of the farmers’ agitation at Delhi’s three borders — Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri.

    Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders demanding a complete repeal of the three farm laws and a legal guarantee for minimum support price on their crops.