Farmers Movement Archive

Traffic crawls at Chilla border amid continued farmer protest

Noida: Though the Noida-Delhi road at the Chilla border was opened on Sunday by protesting farmers, traffic came to a crawl on Monday due to a hunger strike and demonstrations in the area. The Chilla border, which had been closed to the public since December 1 due to farmers having blocked the thoroughfare, was opened following talks between farmers’ representatives and Union defence minister Rajnath Singh on December 12.“Even though the traffic was moving, it was slow. There were barricades placed after every few feet. There was a lot of police force and the farmers were present on the central divider and along the roads. The on-foot movement was also causing the vehicles to move slowly,” said Shweta Bhandari, a Noida resident.Commuters said they fear that with the protests continuing, the border may be re-sealed. A senior Noida police official, asking not to be named, said that they are prepared to block the route again in case the farmer agitation escalates. But for now, the status quo is being maintained.Farmers have occupied the central verge of the road and were camped at the road side, with some of them on hunger strike.“We met Rajnath ji on Saturday but nothing is being done to accept our demands. We will continue on hunger strike indefinitely till the government takes notice of our plight,” said Yogesh Pratap Singh, state president, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU).He had started the strike on Sunday and was joined by at least 12-15 farmers. Nearly 60-70 farmers are present at the border where they said they will continue to remain until definite conclusions are reached.A smaller group of protesters from the BKU’s Lok Shakti faction was present at the Dalit Prerna Sthal, where they are on an indefinite hunger strike. Their representatives mimicked the three monkeys of Mahatma Gandhi as a symbolic protest.“The government has become blind to our struggles, is refusing to listen to our issues and demands, and is not speaking on our behalf, all the while not letting us speak as well. We will stay here for as long as it is needed and will continue with our protest,” said Shailesh Kumar Giri, national spokesperson, Lok Shakti.Meanwhile, Noida police said they are on high alert.“Increased forces have been deployed at Chilla border as a precautionary measure. Even the barricades are placed to ensure that there are no issues. Some force is present at the DND Flyway as well as a cautionary measure,” said deputy commissioner of police, zone 1, Rajesh S.Police said they are prepared to take necessary action in case the agitation escalates again.“We are monitoring the traffic situation. The intensity of the movement today was slightly slow, though it did not stop. The DND Flyway and Kalindi Kunj border areas were better. There were no law and order issues in the city and we are continuing to provide support to the public and farmers alike,” said the DCP.A group of farmers had also gathered at the Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate’s office in Surajpur on Monday afternoon, from where they were dispersed after handing over a memorandum of demands to officials.Meanwhile, members of various political parties in the district, going to lend their support to the farmer’s protest at Chilla border, were stopped by Noida police at separate points.“We reminded them about Section 144 that is imposed in the district, along with the Covid-19 regulations, which prevent them from any unlawful gatherings. They were warned that if they protest, action can be taken against them,” said the DCP.

Hindustan Times

14-12-2020

Noida