Farmers Movement Archive

On Tikri road, farmers clear road partially, but not police

TIKRI BORDER (BAHADURGARH): Farmers camping at Tikri border since November 27 have freed enough space on National Highway (NH) 9 for vehicles to pass through and enter Delhi from Bahadurgarh, but authorities in Delhi are yet to lift the barricade. TOI visited Tikri border this week and found that farmers had set up temporary homes close to the road and made ample space for at least two vehicles to pass on one side of NH 9. Farmers who are camping on bypass roads, in a stretch of over 10km, too have given enough space for vehicles to pass. Bahadurgarh Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice-president Narinder Chhikara said they met Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and had written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, but there seemed to be a political reason for not reopening the border. “There are around 12,000 MSMEs which have suffered losses of around Rs 22,000 crore so far and 1,200 factories are about to shut down. Industry has already been facing losses due to coronavirus, but if this goes on for more time, more industries would shut down. One has to bear a cost of around Rs 7,000 to make a round of Delhi to fetch or send material to Delhi as the direct way is closed. In earlier phases, farmers created issues; but, now, they have no problem with us crossing the border. However, police are not allowing anyone to cross. Delhi police officials are mum. Industrialists should get instant relief, else they would be forced to shut down their establishments,” he added. Contacted, BKU (Charuni) state president Gurnam Singh Charuni said it was up to the police to open the border or keep it sealed. “Farmers have no objection if all Delhi borders are opened by police as farmers have made their demands clear to the Union government and nothing more is required. We never created trouble for anyone and have been sitting peacefully. We will stage dharna till our demands are not met,” he added. Delhi police officials refused to comment on this issue. Jhajjar SP Rajesh Duggal said Haryana Police had not kept any barricades on the Tikri border and had kept the border open from their side. “Tikri border has not been sealed by Haryana Police," he added. Tikri protesters Parbhjot Singh, Baljit Singh, Ajit Singh and many others claimed that farmers did not want to trouble industrialists or the public. “We are protesting in a peaceful manner, but the saffron party is seeking to defame farmers by sealing borders. Farmers have freed one side completely and it’s up to Delhi police or government to open. One thing is clear: farmers will not step down until their demands are met. Delhi borders are their home for now. We have lost hundreds of people and suffered heavy losses, but all are mum about our plight,” said Prabhjot.

The Times of India

2021-08-15

Chandigarh