Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers sit-in at Rajasthan border enters 14th day

ALWAR/JAIPUR: The Jaipur-Delhi national highway in Rajasthan's Alwar district remained partially blocked on Tuesday as the farmers' protest against the Centre's new farm laws entered the third day. The farmers were led by Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav, CPI(M) legislator Balwan Poonia and former legislator Amra Ram. Farmers’ ‘mahapadav’ at Shahjahanpur in Alwar district bordering Haryana entered 14th day on Tuesday. Farmers alleged that due to the rigidity of the Modi government, they were forced to agitate in winter and live in tents braving extreme chill. Agitated farmers are getting support from various sections of society. A delegation of lawyers from Rewari district extended support to the agitation. The lawyers announced that if the government files a fake case against the farmers, they will help the farmers by fighting cases free of cost. Traffic on Delhi-Jaipur Highway is currently operational. In view of the agitation, the district administration has made a route-chart to divert vehicles on alternative route in case of highway jam. On Tuesday afternoon, there was tension after farmers put flags on the barricade put up by the Haryana police along the border. Paramilitary personnel and Haryana Police protested the planting of flags on barricades resulting in heated arguments. Later policemen removed the flags and deployed more forces. The agitating farmers protested by shouting slogans against police. Farmer leaders appealed to them to not to get entangled with policemen. After repeated intervention of farmer leaders, the matter calmed down, but the number of farmers flocking the agitation site is continuously increasing. Preparations are being made to completely block the highway. The farmers who have died in the agitation at various places in the country were remembered at the agitation site. Coming to join the movement, two farmers, Goldie and Labh Singh, died in an accident. A two-minute silence was observed in their memory. Due to winter, farmers lit bonfires and squated on one lane of the highway blocking traffic on the lane to Delhi. Kisan Mahapanchayat leader Rampal Jat is also present at the dharna site. Jat said winter, summer and rainy season is the same for farmers, but the central government is fretting over their rights and in protest, they were forced to spend the night on the road during the winter season.

The Times of India

2020-12-16

Jaipur