Farmers Movement Archive

Despite govt outreach, over 1,000 farmers from Bijnor brave the cold to join protest in Delhi

BIJNOR: Over a thousand farmers onboard around 40 tractor-trolleys and other vehicles set off from Bijnor district on Saturday to join the massive protests against the three new farm laws at the UP-Delhi border. The latest development comes amid an aggressive outreach programme by the state government which also includes "Kisan help desks" set up at police stations as part of awareness campaigns. With blaring music and sloganeering, farmers under the banner of Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan set off in the morning, braving rough weather, on their way to the protest site. Two farmers have lost their lives in the past two days at Ghazipur border during the stir, one of the farmers pointed out. Kailash Lamba, west UP coordinator of Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan who was leading the farmers' journey, told TOI, "Over a thousand farmers travelled towards Delhi in 40 tractor-trolleys on Saturday. The farmers have been protesting in this biting cold, but the government is still unmoved on the three farm laws. That is why, we decided to leave for the Ghazipur border to strengthen the movement." Lamba further said, "Some police officials had tried to prevent us from travelling towards the Ghazipur border, but we managed to find our way. We are travelling in groups. All the farmers are united against the new laws." Notably, as the UP-Delhi border continues to swell with farm agitators, state police had come up with an elaborate plan to "allay their fears and create awareness" on the Centre’s agriculture laws "so that the farmers and their leaders stay put in the region”. The new laws have upset a large section of farmers in the state, and thousands of them have been camping and protesting at Ghazipur and other border points along the national capital for the past few weeks.

The Times of India

2021-01-03

Meerut