Farmers Movement Archive

Barricades on one side of highway at Singhu border to go

Bathinda: The Haryana government officials in a meeting with leaders of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Thursday evening decided to remove barricades from one side of the highway at Singhu border to give free passage to oxygen, ambulance and other such emergency services. The morcha leaders assured them of support in every possible way the fight against the pandemic. The meeting was attended by Sonipat superintendent of police, chief medical officer and SKM leaders. The morcha leaders stated that while the government has baselessly accused the protesting farmers of obstructing oxygen supply to Delhi, they have seen cops sending oxygen supply trucks towards protest sites, instead of directing them to the right and shortest route. It is the government which is to be blamed for barricading roads and obstructing free passage, whereas farmers have allowed vehicular movement at all protest sites, they said. Regarding luring migrant workers to protest sites, the SKM leaders claimed that farmers who left for wheat harvesting operations have started returning to protest sites and the farm movement does not need migrant workers for that reason. The invitation was extended because farmers understand the distress of these migrant workers and wanted them to realise that it was futile to depend on the government to find them jobs in their native villages. Once a semblance of normalcy is restored, migrant workers can return to their jobs and also save on unnecessary travel costs, they said. At an interaction organised through the Geneva Press Club on Wednesday evening, SKM leaders pointed out that the only solution to the current deadlock was for the government to re-initiate a formal dialogue and repeal the three central farm laws besides bringing in a law guaranteeing MSP immediately. At the interaction, Swiss parliamentarian, Nicolas Walder expressed his admiration for the ongoing peaceful struggle and pointed out that there can never be a solution for farmers if such a solution is led by agri-business corporations. He said that the Indian protests are not just about farmers in India but about the future of farmers all over the world.

The Times of India

2021-04-23

Chandigarh