Farmers Movement Archive

Our way or the highway: Farmers say they're ready to camp through winter

NEW DELHI: The third day of the blockade at Delhi's five major borders saw more tractor-trolleys pouring into the capital from Singhu border, extending the already long line of vehicles on Delhi-Chandigarh highway for several kilometres. On Sunday, the farmers said they were prepared to camp for a long period, possibly even spending the winter on the borders if their demands were not met. Farmers' groups said some would be sent back home after 11 days, following which others would arrive with more essentials. Read AlsoTalk to farmers without riders, says Delhi CM Arvind KejriwalCM Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday urged the Centre to hold talks "immediately and unconditionally" with the protesting farmers at Delhi-Haryana borders at Singhu and Tikri."We won't budge until the Centre listens to our demands. We sat for 40 days in Punjab, but the Centre didn't pay any heed to us. The same thing will happen if we move to Burari," said Nirmal Singh, a farmer from Gurdaspur. He added, "Sending some people back home after 11 days will ensure more supplies are brought and farmers will not tire out in the cold. We will not vacate this highway." Read AlsoKisan jam: Another front opens at GhazipurStopped thrice from entering Delhi, about 700 farmers protesting against the three agriculture laws passed by Parliament have decided to camp at UP Gate till December 3, when the second round of ministerial talks on the issue are scheduled.While free langar was being served by Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee on one side of the road, the other carriageway housed thousands of trucks. As TOI took a long walk down the highway, farmers could be seen cooking meals and taking a nap on mattresses. Most trucks had been filled with essential items, including speakers for music. Read AlsoDelhi: AAP slams Centre for being ‘anti-farmer’The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday demanded that Union home minister Amit Shah resolve the issues by listening to them immediately.Gurdyal Singh, another farmer from Gurdaspur, said each group had rations to last them several months. "We have made these tractors and trucks our homes for the time being. We are comfortable and won't move until the new farm laws are repealed," he added. Each member of the various groups, most being from the same village, had been assigned a specific task, including washing utensils or clothes. A free medicine service under the banner of "Kisaan Mazdoor Ekta" had sprung up over the last 24 hours. Rajinder Singh, who was distributing free medicine and had arrived on Saturday evening, said most people approaching them had sore throats, blisters and fever. "We have all the basic medicines available, including those for diabetes and other common ailments. More medicines will arrive in the next couple of days," he added. United Sikhs, an international NGO, had set up a camp to treat farmers injured during the clash on Friday. "Due to the water cannons, many farmers suffered injuries. Many others have throat and eye infections from the tear gas shells. We are also distributing masks, sanitisers and drinking water to them," said Parvinder Singh Nanda, director of the voluntary organisation. Balkarn Brar, state president, All India Kisan Sabha (Punjab), said over 500 farmer organisations had reached Delhi's borders. "The Prime Minister says we are being misled or that we haven't understood the laws. He has been stating this for over a month now. But they have presented us with nothing but figures on how they will benefit us. Farmers are already suffering and not receiving minimum support price in UP and Bihar. The same will happen in other parts of the country too," he added. Watch Protest against farm laws: Farmers harden stance, threaten siege of Delhi for months

The Times of India

2020-11-30

Delhi