The Indian Panorama

Tag: Tikri

  • Hectic activity at Singhu as farmers renew protest call amid Covid crisis

    Hectic activity at Singhu as farmers renew protest call amid Covid crisis

    It has been over 200 days that farmers have been blocking the Singhu border and other areas just outside Delhi to protest the three contentious farm laws. But even as they continue the fight to get the government back to the negotiation table, a more pressing challenge confronts them now in the form of a second and more potent Covid-19 wave.

    While India, and especially the Capital, is seeing unimaginable losses owing to the second wave, farmers’ unions at the Delhi border have refused to vacate the protest sites and are determined to continue the path of confrontation. In fact, one of the largest farmers’ organisations of Punjab, BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), has called for more people to join the protests starting this week.

    What satellite images show us

    The entire stretch along the Singhu border has turned into a township of sorts extending up to 4 kilometres in length. Hundreds of tents and makeshift accommodations have been set up to house protesters. This location is just on the other side of the Delhi border.

    The entire 4-kilometre stretch imagery is an exclusive image shared by @detresfa_ to India Today, made available by Maxar Technologies and Google Maps.

    Covid concerns

    Growing concerns of a Covid spread in protest sites have often been discounted by protesters by comparing the congregations at Kumbh Mela and in election rallies across different states.

    The protest sites have the potential of becoming a new Covid epicentre. In January 2021, the Supreme Court criticised the Centre for not ensuring strict enforcement of Covid protocols in protest sites. The civil surgeon’s office had offered to set up testing units at the protest sites, but farmers’ unions refused to cooperate.

    BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh spoke to journalists over concerns regarding the second Covid wave. He agreed there are concerns about the safety of protesting farmers and their families, but this was not the time to call off the protests. He opined that unless the government repealed the farm laws, they cannot afford to lose the gathered momentum.

    Many of the farmers also cited the example of Shaheen Bagh, which used to be the epicentre of anti-CAA protests. The site was forcibly vacated because of Covid, and since then, the movement has lost all the gained momentum.

    Singh, however, assured that they are taking necessary precautions and ensuring that everyone wears a mask and cooperates with officials at Covid testing centres set up near the protest sites.

    Highway blockades and diversions

    It is noteworthy that farmers have been protesting since October 2020 and as per the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), these highway blockages have resulted in losses amounting to over Rs 600 crore owing to the non-functioning of toll plazas.

    Farmers, on the other hand, claim over 300 of their brethren have lost lives during the protests. The governments of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have enhanced pressure on farmers’ unions to vacate the protest sites on Delhi’s borders, namely Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur.

    The Union Home Ministry is working with the two BJP governments, along with the Congress government in Punjab, to make farmers’ unions understand the severity of the second wave. All three state governments have started conducting aerial surveillance of the protest sites and setting up makeshift testing centres for protesters.

    Singhu and Tikri are two of the most important border points between Delhi and Haryana, and these continue to remain closed as of today. The Ghazipur crossing connecting Delhi and UP, however, is open for those travelling to Ghaziabad from Delhi, despite the other elevated highway continuing to remain blocked. Commuters have been asked to take routes passing through Anand Vihar, Loni DND and Apsara borders, and all carriageways connecting the Delhi-Noida Chilla borders are open right now.

    There have also been accusations of protesters blocking the transport of liquid oxygen cylinders for medical use. Farmers’ unions, however, have denied this. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, a representative body of several protesting farmers’ unions, said on April 21 that they have kept a way open for emergency services since Day One of their agitation.

                    Source: India Today

  • Farmers at Singhu, Tikri borders refuse to move amid virus surge

    Farmers at Singhu, Tikri borders refuse to move amid virus surge

    New Delhi (TIP): Farmers protesting at the Singhu and Tikri borders for over four months against the Centre’s three farm laws are not planning to call off their stir anytime soon amid the worsening Covid-19 situation in Delhi.

    According to the farmers at Singhu and Tikri borders, Covid is being “over-glorified” so that the government can finish all the opposition and protests against them.

    “We will boost our immunity, take care of our health and start vaccination drives at protest sites. But we will not get up,” protesting farmers said.

    Last week, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait, who has been camping at the Ghazipur border, said farmers protesting the contentious new farm laws are ready to talk if the Centre invites them, maintaining that the dialogue would resume where it had ended on January 22 and the demands remain unchanged.

    He said for the talks to resume, the government should invite the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body representing the protesters who are camping at the three border points of Delhi at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur since November 2020.

    “The talks with the government would resume from the same point where it had ended on January 22. The demands are also the same — all three ‘black’ farm laws should be repealed, a new law made to ensure MSP (minimum support price) for crops,” Tikait was quoted as saying in a statement issued by BKU media in-charge Dharmendra Malik.

    Source: India Today

  • Farmers ready to talk, but no change in demands: Rakesh Tikait

    Farmers protesting the contentious new farm laws are ready to talk if the Centre invites them, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said on Sunday, April 11,  maintaining that the dialogue would resume where it had ended on January 22 and the demands remain unchanged.

    He said for the talks to resume, the government should invite the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body representing the protestors who are camping at the three border points of Delhi at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur since November 2020.

    “The talks with the government would resume from the same point where it had ended on January 22. The demands are also the same — all three ‘black’ farm laws should be repealed, a new law made to ensure MSP (minimum support price) for crops,” Tikait was quoted as saying in a statement issued by BKU media in-charge Dharmendra Malik.

    The BKU national spokesperson’s remarks came in response to Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij urging Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to resume talks with protesting farmers amid the coronavirus scare looming large.

    Maintaining that a surge in the coronavirus cases is being seen across the country and the situation is turning bad in Haryana too, Vij said he is worried about the farmers protesting on the state borders with Delhi. The protesters and the government last had a formal dialogue over the contentious issue on January 22 but the impasse continued.

  • Delhi borders remain blocked as farmers’ protest continues

    Delhi borders remain blocked as farmers’ protest continues

    New Delhi (TIP): Delhi’s Singhu and Tikri borders continue to be blocked due to the protest by farmers who are demanding withdrawal of the three contentious farm laws. The Ghazipur border, which connects Uttar Pradesh with Delhi, was opened partially as vehicular movement from Delhi to Ghaziabad was allowed on the stretch.

    “Ghazipur NH-24 upper side towards Ghaziabad is open for traffic movement. Chilla border between Noida and Delhi is open on both sides,” a traffic police officer said.

    The Delhi Traffic Police have diverted the traffic that may possibly lead to traffic congestions in parts of the city during the peak hours.

    According to Delhi Traffic Police officials, vehicles entering Delhi from Ghaziabad are being diverted to alternate border routes such as Anand Vihar, Surya Nagar, Apsara, Bhopra, Loni, Kondli, Chilla, New Ashok Nagar, DND, and Kalindi Kunj, so these routes may see traffic congestion.

    Apart from the Ghazipur, other borders, namely Singhu, and Tikri, are closed. “The following borders are closed for traffic movement — Piyau Maniyari, Singhu border, Harewali, Mangeshpur and Tikri border,” said a traffic police officer.

    Traffic police officers also said that Auchandi border is opened only during morning and evening peak hours while Lampur, Safiabad are open.

  • Farmers gear up for show of strength on March 8

    Farmers gear up for show of strength on March 8

    Chandigarh (TIP): Despite the death of 300 farmers since they shifted their agitation to the Delhi border on November 26 last year, protests have not lost steam. Besides the permanent camps at the Delhi border, Punjab is also witnessing massive gatherings all over the state. The next major step will be the “dharnas” at various protest sites on the Delhi border, particularly Singhu and Tikri, on March 8.

    An elaborate plan is being made to observe International Women’s Day as an occasion to force the withdrawal of “draconian anti-farmer laws”.

    President of the Bharti Kisan Union (Rajewal) Balbir Singh Rajewal put the figure of the dead at over 300. BKU (Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said about 250 persons had died due to different reasons, including cold, heart attacks and road accidents, during this period. “We got busy with other activities during our ongoing struggle, so we were not able to maintain a proper record of the deaths. We will surely do that,” he added.

    Following massive gatherings at Jagraon and Barnala “kisan mahapanchatays” recently, farmer unions have chalked out elaborate programmes to carry forward their protests at other places. Confirming the March 8 programme, Rajewal said, “All unions have decided to hold protests on International Women’s Day to show that even women stood with us against the anti-farmer laws. This will be preceded by blocking the KMP Highway on March 6 for five hours (11 am to 4 pm).”

    BKU district president Shingara Singh Mann said, “The government was trying its best to show that the farmers’ struggle was losing steam. It has, however, failed miserably in its propaganda. They are threatening our volunteers in various ways, including arrests. Even the celebrities supporting us have not been spared.”

    Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Committee general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said, “We may be seen as a separate group during the agitation. However, we are fighting for the same cause. Our eighth ‘jatha’ is leaving for the Delhi border. We will participate in the programme on March 8.”

    Pandher said, “We will hold a rally at Shahkot Mandi in Jalandhar, another one at Kapurthala on March 14 and at Ferozepur on March 15. The government has underestimated our dedication to the cause. We will fight till the end.”

    Source: The Tribune

  • Farmers protest spreads as government dithers on their demand to repeal farm laws

    Farmers protest spreads as government dithers on their demand to repeal farm laws

    Farmers unions term statements of Modi as ‘anti-farmer’

    I.S. Saluja

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Farmer unions on Thursday, Feb11, termed the statements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi “anti-farmer” and alleged that the government was not serious on their demand for full price for their produce. They also unveiled a plan to hold more “Kisan Mahapanchayats” in the days to come. The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the joint front of the unions, said Mr. Modi’s statement that many laws were made without being demanded by people proved that the farm laws were not demanded by the farmers. Opposite to it, the government was not serious on their fair and genuine demand of “Karja Mukti; Pura Daam” (freedom from debt and full price).

    Earlier, a rally was organized at Jagraon in Punjab. Farmers also held a “panchayat” on the Shambhu border.

    Addressing the participants, the farmers’ leaders spoke about the upcoming programs of the SKM. The farmers opposed the proposal of the Haryana government to install closed-circuit television cameras at the Tikri sit-in site.

    The SKM announced that “Kisan Mahapanchayats” would be organised all over the country. The SKM would not take back the protest until the repeal of three farm laws and legal recognition to MSP, said a statement.

    Besides “mahapanchayats” in Moradabad and Bahadurgarh on Friday, similar gatherings will be held in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh and Sikar next week.

    (with inputs from agencies)

     

  • Man who attacked cop with sword at farmers’ protest, 43 others arrested

    Man who attacked cop with sword at farmers’ protest, 43 others arrested

    New Delhi (TIP): The Delhi Police have arrested 44 people, including the man who attacked a police officer on Friday, January 29,  with a sword during clashes at Singhu border between Delhi and Haryana, the epicentre of the two-month long farmers’ protest against three central laws. At Ghazipur, one of the other protest sites, thousands of demonstrators dug in on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, defying the Ghaziabad administration’s ultimatum to vacate the area. With the crowd swelling after a standoff and a tearful outburst by one of the senior leaders of the movement on Thursday, security forces in large numbers were called in again. The man with the sword was believed to be one of the protesting farmers who had allegedly attacked a group that barged into the protest site in Singhu, despite heavy police presence, vandalised the protesters’ tents and broke their washing machines.

    The police had to fire tear gas shells and use batons to break up a clash between farmers and a large group of men claiming to be local residents who threw stones at each other. Several people including Delhi Police officer Pradeep Paliwal were injured in the violence. Thousands of farmers reached protest sites on Friday and more are expected to join soon as union leaders accused the government of trying to destroy their peaceful agitation and sought the support of people in observing a fast on January 30, Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary, from 9 am to 5 pm.

    Probing the Republic Day violence, the Delhi Police has asked nine farmer leaders – Rakesh Tikait, Pawan Kumar, Raj Kishore Singh, Tajender Singh Virk, Jitender Singh, Trilochan Singh, Gurmukh Singh, Harpreet Singh and Jagtar Singh Bajwa – to join the investigation.

    Over 100 Punjab farmers ‘missing’ since R-Day rally

    More than 100 Punjab farmers who went to Delhi to take part in the Republic Day rally are ‘missing’, as per the Punjab Human Rights Organisation. In collaboration with Khalra Mission, the PHRO today announced free legal aid to the farmers booked by the Delhi Police for the Red Fort incident.

    “It appears the police deliberately led the farmers to the Red Fort. A ruckus was created when the Nishan Sahib was hoisted there. This cannot be an offence. The Tricolour was not touched. Most protesters were illegally deta-ined on the spot. Since then, their whereabouts are not known,” activist Sarabjit Singh Verka said.

    Hakam Singh, a lawyer with the Punjab and Haryana High Court, said at least between 80-90 youths from Punjab had not returned to their camps at Singhu and Tikri. “A group of lawyers is trying to trace them. We are in touch with the police, farm unions and hospitals,” he said.

    Lawyers under the banner of Panthic Talmel Sangathan too offered legal aid to the farmers. “We are scrutinising the FIRs. Most farmers were booked under the Damage to Public Property Act, Epidemic Diseases Act and Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act,” an advocate said.

    Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said: “Nishan Sahib is the symbol of the Sikh identity. Hoisting the flag does not constitute an offence.”

                    Source: The Tribune