Farmers Movement Archive

Majority backs stir at Tikri meet

NEW DELHI: A mahapanchayat of three villages was organised at Tikri on Saturday during which the majority of local residents spoke in favour of the farmers’ protest at the border there, leading to a face-off with those demanding the clearance of the highway. The farmer leaders later spoke to the locals and assured them they would move their tractors to make the factories and workshops accessible for reopening. The mahapanchayat of Tikri Kalan, Hiran Kudna and Neelwal saw those supportive of the farmers’ agitation accusing their opponents of being hand in glove with the central government in opposing the protest. Naresh, who was in favour of the farmers, reported, “The villagers decided to stand with the farmers and we will go to the protest site to tell them we don’t have a problem with them occupying the road.” The agitation supporters alleged that those who had a run-in with the farmers claiming to be locals on Friday were outsiders brought in by “goons working for the Centre”. Vijay Pal remonstrated, “We are facing losses and we want the road to be vacated. After the mob violence on Republic Day, we do not want the farmers to sit here at the Tikri border. We supported them, but the disrespect they showed to the national flag cannot be tolerated.” Petrol pump owner Sanjay Chaudhary, who claimed losses of lakhs of rupees due to the road closure, told the mahapanchayat that he was paying the salaries of his workers from his pocket for two months. Chaudhary said he personally didn’t have a problem with the farmers’ protest, but the police barricade on a 500-metre stretch had disrupted business. “If we ask the farmers, they will cooperate. But the road closure doesn’t allow vehicles to access the petrol pump,” he said. The farmers, who have occupied the stretch for two months, however, agreed to move their trucks to some distance to allow shop owners to access their premises. Farm leaders said they would offer support so that local businesses were not affected.

The Times of India

2021-01-31

Delhi