Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers at UP Gate ram barricades with tractors to go to Delhi

GHAZIABAD: Farmers at UP Gate late on Wednesday night allegedly tried to bring down the barricades with tractors in an attempt to move towards Delhi. While they were sent back by Delhi Police, the Ghaziabad district magistrate and the SSP also arrived after two hours to monitor the law and order situation. Rakesh Tikait, leader of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Tikait), and others had returned to UP Gate after a mahapanchayat at Singhu border. According to the farmers present at the site, they informed the people gathered there that they had rejected the draft of the amended laws sent by the Centre. Around 9pm, the crowd climbed over the barricades and raised slogans against the government. SSP Kalanidhi Naithani said he and DM Ajay Shankar Pandey went for a regular check. “I asked the farmers to maintain calm. A heavy police force is already deployed at UP Gate,” he said. Tikait insisted on a complete repeal of the farm laws. “They will ruin the lives of the farmers and the future generations. We are very clear on our stand,” he added. “During winter and the Covid-19 situation, it is playing with the lives of farmers. Some farmers have died during the protest in the cold weather but the government is not ready to scrap the laws,” said a farmer. Rakesh Kumar, a 54-year-old farmer from Muzaffarnagar, said so far, the government had only been trying to settle things to benefit the corporate sector. “I had fixed my son’s wedding for December 12, but it will be postponed now as he is present with me at the protest,” he added. On Thursday, a team of 20 people was busy preparing food for thousands of farmers. On one side of UP Gate, farmer leaders spoke at length about the three laws on the stage and on the other side, some sat down with lunch, which was kadi chawal, with suji halwa and kheer for dessert. A group of farmers also distributed Maggi, dry fruits, tea and pakoras.

The Times of India

2020-12-11

Ghaziabad