Farmers Movement Archive

Bharat Bandh in photos: Massive traffic jams, train services hit

Vehicular traffic was severely hit on several key roads in Delhi and neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana due to Bharat Bandh call given by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) to mark the first anniversary of the enactment of three farm laws passed by Centre in September last year. Farmers blocked roads and national highways at Delhi borders while the Delhi Traffic Police issued a traffic alert urging commuters to avoid the Ghazipur border stretch between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.Here are a few glimpses of traffic jams across the nation today.Heavy traffic jams ensued on the Gurugram-Delhi border as the Delhi Police and paramilitary jawans checked vehicles entering the national capital. The Delhi Noida Direct (DND) flyway also witnessed massive traffic congestion.The Delhi Police has also closed all the routes leading to the Red Fort in the national capital and barricades were placed on the road as a precautionary measure.Farmers were seen squatting on railway tracks and blocking rail routes in Sonipat, Haryana to register their protest. A similar scene was witnessed in nearby Patiala in Punjab where members of the BKU-Ugrahan blocked railway tracks as part of the agitation.Many places in Punjab, where farmer leaders are known to spearhead the year-long protest, saw a complete shutdown. Farmers blocked the Moga-Ferozepur and Moga-Ludhiana national highways.The 10-hour Bharat Bandh garnered support from more than 500 farmer organizations, 15 trade unions, political parties, six state governments and varied sections of society.Farmers have been protesting at different sites since November 26 last year against the three enacted farm laws: Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.Despite several rounds of talks between the farmers and the Centre, the impasse remains.

Hindustan Times

27-09-2021

India