Farmers Movement Archive

Clip art: How farmers are boosting support

NEW DELHI: Standing in front of a table loaded with medicines and daily use products at Singhu border, Amrik Singh, a farmer from Lopol village in Moga district, was seen shooting a video on Monday making an appeal to people in Punjab to join the farmers’ protest. “A peaceful protest is going on here and all items of need are available. Don’t believe in rumours about lathi charge by the police force deployed here. It is the need of the hour and every youth should participate in the protest,” said Amrik, while sharing the video on social media. While a large number of people have joined the protest in the past 15 days, the farmers say they want to make their agitation stronger. “After the tractor parade on January 26 turned violent, many farmers left for home as their families were worried. After an appeal by our leaders, many soon returned, but there is fear among a section of them due to rumours about violence. The news of police barricading has added fuel to the fire. As we want to make the protest bigger than ever, we are taking many steps to encourage participation of more people,” said Amrik. He has been uploading at least two videos daily for the last four days. When the government suspended the internet in the area, some farmers rode off on their motorbikes to find a place where network was available for dissemination of information. Post January 26, the protest has become more organised and mohalla committees have been set up in each village to motivate people to go to the border. The committees are maintaining records of each new protester for better coordination. “Drawing inspiration from the campaigns of political parties, the committee members have started conducting door-to-door visits in each village of Punjab. The members tell each family they meet that there is no need to fear as the worst has passed. We inform them how our lives will be affected if the black laws are not withdrawn,” said Amrit Lal from Badhni village. Balwinder Singh, another farmer, said, “Earlier, scores of people would come to the border on tractor-trolleys, bicycles and other private vehicles. There was no proper record of people joining the protest or returning home. However, the newly-constituted committees have prepared a proper schedule. When a set of farmers returns, another group takes its place. The aim behind this exercise is to make sure that our numbers do not decrease.”

The Times of India

2021-02-09

Delhi