Several groups of farmers have declared a ‘Bharat Bandh’ as their protest continues for the fourth day. In Delhi and the surrounding areas, large gatherings are not allowed, and special rules are in place. The farmers say they will make their protest stronger, and a group called Bharatiya Kisan Parishad from Noida is supporting them.
Leaders of the protesting farmers met with government ministers for five hours, but they didn’t reach an agreement. They will talk again on Sunday, February 18. The ‘Bharat Bandh’ began at 6 am and will last until 4 pm. From 12 pm to 4 pm, the protesting farmers will block major roads in India.
Here are the latest updates about the Bharat Bandh:
1. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a farmer leader, said that soldiers at the borders of Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana are making the situation worse. He hopes for a solution but says the protest will continue, and they still plan to go to Delhi.
2. Bhagwant Mann, the Chief Minister of Punjab and a leader of AAP, supports the protesting farmers. He criticized the use of drones and fences along the borders of Punjab and Haryana. He also criticized the shutting down of the internet in three districts of Haryana.
3. The government and the farmer groups had their third meeting on Thursday. Earlier talks happened on February 8 and 12 before the farmers started their protest to go to Delhi on February 13.
4. Farmers from Punjab started their journey to Delhi on February 13 but were stopped at the borders of Shambhu and Khanauri by security forces. They have been camping there since then. Farmers from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana also started their journey to Delhi on Tuesday but faced heavy security.
5. On February 13, Haryana Police used tear gas and water cannons on protesting farmers at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. Farmers from Punjab clashed with the police as they tried to continue their march to Delhi.
6. The traffic in Delhi-NCR has been severely affected by the farmers’ protest. The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police have put restrictions in place to maintain order during the Bharat Bandh.
7. Delhi Traffic Police have suggested alternative routes for commuters due to the protests. They recommend using the metro to avoid trouble because there is heavy security at Delhi’s borders.
8. Delhi Police have imposed Section 144 CrPc across the city until March 12 because of the farmers’ protest. Tractors carrying weapons and inflammable substances are not allowed, and loudspeakers are banned.
9. After the talks on Thursday, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said that the government promised to restore the social media accounts of farmer leaders who were suspended during the protest.
Also Read: Farmer’s Protest Updates: 3 Union Ministers Will Meet Farmer Leaders In Chandigarh
10. Two farmer unions, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and BKU Dakaunda (Dhaner), called for a ‘rail roko’ in response to the police action. Farmers also demonstrated at toll plazas in Punjab, letting commuters pass without paying.
