Farmers Movement Archive

Ex-Armyman who fought in Kargil now 'commander' of Republic Day tractor parade

AGRA: At Chilla border, former Armyman Ramnath Singh Sikarwar, who had fought in the Kargil war, is gearing up for another "battle". Retired and now a social activist, he is focused on farmers' rights and busy training youngsters for the Republic Day tractor parade in Delhi. Sikarwar, 53, a former radar technician with the Army, is one of the parade commanders and has constituted six quick response teams (QRT) of six men each to combat tear gas shells and water cannons, if any, on January 26. In true military style, each QRT team has been assigned "code words". And the QRT will act on “secret signals” of the parade commander. Bhanu Pratap Singh, national president of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu), told TOI, “We have directed all the workers from across UP and other states to report at Chilla border by Monday evening. The parade responsibility at Chilla border has been assigned to ex-Armyman Ramnath Singh Sikarwar. He is training the farmers now." The Centre has failed to understand the discontent among farmers, Sikarwar said. "We will hold a historic parade in Delhi. Farmers are being trained to maintain discipline and run a smooth show. Thousands will march on one side of the road and tractors will move in long queues on the other. Specific tasks have been assigned to a team of 25 young farmers. I will lead the parade with other senior members on tractors. We'll give specific instructions from loudspeakers." "Leaving nothing to chance, we have constituted six QRTs as well. In case of tear gas shells by police on us, they will shield them with wet sacks. If water cannons are used, QRTs will cordon the police vehicles from all sides and protect the farmers. The aim is to ensure that the elderly and women do not suffer any difficulties," he said. "All the QRT teams and young agitators have been strictly told to maintain patience during the journey. A special team has been constituted to look out for any troublemakers," he added. A resident of Kathumari village under Jagner block of Agra district, Sikarwar was involved in radar operations during the Kargil war and served along the LoC. After retirement in 2004, he started working as a social activist. Son of the state's oldest District Council member Jal Devi at 95, Sikarwar runs a social body called 'Laxman Sena - fight against corruption', and has embedded himself at the Chilla protest site for the past 15 days. And Sikarwar is not alone. “At least 100 ex-Armymen have expressed their willingness to participate in the parade from Chilla border on Republic Day - a day of pride for all of us. More than 500 others will join at Singhu and Ghazipur borders," the former Armyman said.

The Times of India

2021-01-25

Agra