Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers’ stir evokes partial response in Bihar

PATNA: The nationwide ‘chakka jam’ called by the farmer unions agitating against the Centre’s new farm laws evoked partial response in the state on Saturday. Roads were blocked at some places in the state only for one hour instead of three hours keeping in mind the ongoing Intermediate examinations being conducted by the Bihar School Examination Board. Apart from farmers, protests in most districts witnessed participation of opposition parties, including CPI (ML), RJD and Congress. In Bhojpur, the farmers blocked roads in Ara and other blocks under the joint banner of CPI(ML) and RJD. CPI (ML) town secretary Dilraj Pritam said the Ara-Patna main road was blocked near Ara bus stand and Kayamnagar at Koilwar. Similarly, Ara-Sasaram main road was blocked at two places – Charpokhari and Gadhani. The Ara-Arwal main road, on the other hand, was blocked at Agiyaon. Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Mahasabha national leader Raju Yadav, Tarari MLA Sudama Prasad and RJD district president Birbal Yadav addressed the farmers at various places in Bhojpur district. In Biharsharif, hundreds of farmers, political activists and members of social organisations blocked Hospital Mor, the busiest thoroughfare of the town, for around an hour. District secretary of Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha Pal Bihari, who led a procession to Hospital Mor, said the policies of the Centre are repressive. In Gaya, Congress functionaries, including the district president of the party’s farmer cell Yugal Kishore Singh, participated in the ‘chakka jam’ at Tower Chowk and railway station. Congress workers led by its district president Chandrika Prasad Yadav also blocked GT Road near Barachattia. In Sitamarhi, the protesters blocked NH-77 at Kanta Chowk and shouted anti-government slogans. The supporters of Left parties and RJD also participated in the protest. The roadblock proved a nightmare for daily passengers, examinees and commuters. The agitation evoked mixed response in Bhagalpur and Banka districts too. The protesters unsuccessfully tried to disrupt movement of traffic in the two districts. The agitation found few takers in Saran and Nawada districts. In Bagaha, opposition parties and Bihar Rajya Kisan Sabha members blocked NH-727 at Bettiah Station Chowk and paralysed traffic. Sugarcane growers also participated in the agitation. In Purnia, around 22 members of Jan Adhikar Party (Loktantrik) blocked R N Shah Chowk near Collectorate for around half-an-hour.

The Times of India

2021-02-07

Patna