Farmers Movement Archive

Amid clashes, fresh support pours in for farmers

In a renewed push to the farmers agitation against the three contentious farm laws after the unions appeared to be on the back foot following the Republic Day violence and police action, support poured in from parts of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on Friday. Farmers outfits, “panchayats”, and “khaps” across the three States assured support to the movement, even as clashes broke out between “locals” and the farmers at the Singhu border during the day, with incidents of stone-pelting. The police had to use tear gas and lathicharge to bring the situation under control. Attempts by the Uttar Pradesh administration to vacate the sit-in at Ghazipur late on Thursday, sparked an emotional outburst from Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait, who blamed the BJP for vitiating the atmosphere, and saw a dramatic surge in the number of farmers at the Delhi-U.P. border. As Mr. Tikait’s outburst went viral, thousands headed to the site from western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana through the night and the early hours of Friday. Several political leaders, including Rashtriya Lok Dal vice-president Jayant Chaudhary, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Swaraj Abhiyan’s Yogendra Yadav and Haryana Rajya Sabha MP Deepender Hooda also reached the Ghazipur protest site in solidarity with Mr. Tikait.

The Hindu

2021-01-30

NEW DELHI