Chakka Jam: Heavy Deployment in Delhi Even as Farmers Shift Protest Goalpost to Other States
Chakka Jam at Jind, Haryana
New Delhi: Even as protesting farmers geared up for ‘chakka jam’ across states, leaving out Delhi, to intensify their agitation against the three controversial farm laws, the Centre closed down entry and exit facilities at several prominent Delhi metro stations on Saturday.
"Entry/exit gates of Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Janpath and Central Secretariat are closed. Interchange facility is available," the DMRC said.
There were also reports that some farm leaders were taken into preventive arrest, according to a statement by the All India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha (AIKMS).
Farmer unions on Monday had announced a countrywide 'chakka jam' on February 6 when they would block national and state highways between 12 pm and 3 pm to protest the internet ban in areas near their agitation sites, harassment allegedly meted out to them by authorities, and other issues.
However, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella of over 40 farmer unions, made it clear on Friday that in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will be given the go-by during the 'chakka jam', as they expected some troublemakers, as seen during the Red Fort incident on January 26.
Yet, Delhi was turned into a fortress with thousands of forces deployed at important junctions across the national capital, including Red Fort and ITO, which witnessed violence on January 26 during the tractor parade leaving several police personnel injured and a protester dead.
Police said they are also using drone cameras to keep a tight vigil at protest sites.
The multilayered barricades, barbed wires and nail-studded roads at the protest sites by the government has invited a lot of criticism, as the over two-month-long protest has been peaceful for so long, barring on January 26, which farmer unions see as “designed” to defame their movement.
In a statement on Saturday AIKMS denounced Delhi police for detaining several leaders of the Delhi for farmers forum which has announced a support programme for farmers struggle against three black laws and legal guarantee for minumum support of all crops. They were to take part in the protest at ShaheedPark in ITO, it said.
“IFTU National treasurer and Delhi President Dr Animesh Das was picked up and detained at 5 am by Kalakji police. Police is posted outside house of GS of Pragatisheel Mahila Sangathan, Com Poonam preventing her movement,” the statement added.
According to CITU Delhi, general secratary, Anurag Saxena a CITU leader, Vipin, was detained at around 12:30 am by police from his residence. They misled him by giving other reason while picking him up. Since then he is being kept at Badli police station. Later police said he has been picked up because of Chakka jam call by Kisan Samyukt Morcha, AIKSCC.
Farmers in Punjab, Haryana block roads
Chandigarh: Farmers protesting against the Centre's new agri laws and other issues blocked roads at several places in Punjab and Haryana on Saturday on the call given by the farmers' unions for a nationwide 'chakka jam'.
Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said they were holding road blockades at 33 places in 15 districts including Sangrur, Barnala and Bathinda in Punjab.
In the morning, farmers started assembling at their earmarked protest sites for 'chakka jam' in both the states.
"Elders and youth have gathered here to participate in chakka jam. It will be peaceful," said a protester at the Punjab-Haryana border in Shambhu near Ambala.
"We want that the government should repeal these three laws as they are not in the interest of the farming community," said another protester.
Protesting farmers said emergency vehicles including ambulances and school buses will be allowed during the 'chakka jam'.
Bengal: Blockade of National Highways
Kolkata, Sandip Chakraborty: Protesters all over the state started the ‘Chakka Jam’ programme from 12 to 3 p.m . In Burdwan, North Dinajpur, Krisnanagar and Kolkata, the farmer organisations have started blocking state and national highways.
Left Front Chairman Biman Basu called upon all its constituents and along to 16-party grouping to observe the ‘chakka jam’ while the All India Kisan Sangarsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) West Bengal appealed to all the mass organisations, including Left and democratic, workers, employees, students, youths, and women organisations, to take part in in the programme.
Karnataka: Peasants Swarm Highways
Bengaluru, PTI: Farmers on Saturday blocked highways in different parts of Karnataka, to express solidarity with the ryots protesting against the contentious agriculture laws introduced by the Centre, in New Delhi and demanding withdrawal of the legislations.
In response to a call given by various farmers' associations led by Kuruburu Shanthakumar, peasants in the state swarmed all highways leading to and out of the Bengaluru, to block it.
A few pro-Kannada organisations too came in support of the agitators and staged demonstrations.
The demonstrations took place in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kolar, Koppal, Bagalkote, Tumakuru Davangere, Hassan, Mangaluru, Haveri, Shivamogga, Chikkaballapura, and other places.
Protesters courted arrest in some parts of the state including the capital city.
(With inputs from PTI)
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