Farmers Movement Archive

Tikri protest site: 5feet-wide passage for pedestrians, two-wheelers from 7am to 8pm

ROHTAK/BATHINDA: Paving the way for clearing a 5-footwide passage for movement of pedestrians and two wheelers across Delhi’s Tikri border from 7am to 8pm, the farmer outfits and the Jhajjar administration reached an agreement on Saturday morning over removal of the barricades following a night of tension. This will make it an easier commute for labourers working in factories near Tikri border and in Bahadurgarh, as they had to take alternative routes during the past 11 months after the barricades were erected by Delhi Police. However, no three-wheeler or heavy traffic will be allowed to cross over. The autos will stop either on the Delhi side or the Bahadurgarh side and the passengers will cross the border on foot. The ambulances will be allowed to pass in case of any emergency. The passage will remain closed at night. The partial opening the road at Tikri border was the result of a joint meeting between Delhi & Haryana officials with farmers on Friday and Saturday. The process of removing the barriers began when the Supreme Court issued an order on October 21 ordering the unblocking of routes that had been closed to commuters due to anti-farm laws rallies at Delhi’s border ports of Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur. The Delhi police had started removing cement blocks, nails from their side to clear the passage of the road connecting Haryana and Delhi via Tikri-Bahadurgarh. The agreement was arrived at after some unpleasant scenes and tension at Tikri border on Friday night over the administration's bid to remove the barricades. “Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders had a meeting with police officials on Saturday morning where the mutual decision was taken . "It has been decided that a 5-foot-wide passage will be left for twowheelers or ambulances at the Tikri border. The passage is being allowed keeping in mind the problems being faced by labourers working in factories and those using twowheelers or going on foot for their daily needs,” farm outfit BKU Ekta Dakaunda president Buta Singh Burjgill told TOI. The SKM also made it plain that a collective decision will be taken at an appropriate time on whether the farmer agitation continues at the same site or moves into Delhi. SKM pointed out that in case the government wants to open the passage completely, it has to open the passage to fulfill the farmers' demands. Burjgill said that as per the earlier agreement the way was to be opened today (Saturday) in the presence of farm leaders, but the police started removing barricades on Friday night by pressing a JCB into service. "We reached there and objected, but the police paid no heed, until we lay down on the ground and asked the police to run the JCB over us," he added. Heavy traffic could not be allowed as the farmers are living nearby in tents and keep moving in the area. An accident could occur if heavy flow of traffic is allowed like the case of the three women who were crushed to death three days ago, said Buta Singh and Balkaran Singh. Plan for protest at Glasgow during Modi visit SKM said that supporters of the farm movement in the UK are getting ready to protest when Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Glasgow to take part in the United Nations' COP26 on climate. The protest in Glasgow is to let the Modi government know that its undemocratic, unresponsive and obstinate behaviour is being condemned elsewhere too. SKM further stated that it is learnt that the US-based farmer movement supporter Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, was reportedly asked not to support the langars at the morcha site if he was to be allowed entry into India, and it was for this reason that he was deported from India. It urged the authorities to desist from harassing supporters of the farmers' movement. Jind farmer dies of cardiac arrestA 62-year-old farmer, who had died due to cardiac arrest at Tikri border on Friday, was cremated in Jind district, reports Vijender Kumar. The deceased has been identified as Karan Singh of Shahpur village of Haryana’s Jind district. He is survived by two sons. The deceased was bringing milk from their fellow farmers at another protesting site when he complained of chest pain and sat down on the ground. His fellow farmers rubbed his legs and chest, but it was futile.

The Times of India

2021-10-31

Amritsar