Bihar: After Successful Human Chain, Farmers Gear up for Chakka Jam on February 6

Patna: After the success of the human chain across Bihar in support of the farmers protesting against the three contentious Farm Laws last week, farmers and Left parties are gearing up for the chakka jam on February 6 to protest against the government’s use of force against farmers in Delhi.

Dozens of farmers’ organisations under the Bihar Rajya Kisan Sabha (BRKS) decided to stage protests in Bihar in support of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee’s (AIKSCC) call for a chakka jam across the country.

Unlike the intended three hours of a chakka jam in other states, the BRKS will block roads for only an hour – between 2 pm and 3 pm – in view of the ongoing intermediate exams. The umbrella body of farmers has decided it will not inconvenience the students.

According to BRKS leader Ashok Singh, all roads – national highways, state highways, important roads connecting towns and district headquarters – will be blocked during the protest.

Left parties, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist) (CPI(ML)) and the CPI’s farmers bodies will also take part in the chakka jam. “Leaders of parties, their workers and members of farmers bodies will block roads across the state,” CPI(M) leader Arun Kumar Mishra said.

CPI (ML) leader Dhirendra Jha said the party has directed its farmer body and other bodies to join
the chakka jam. “We will block roads in rural as well as urban areas; it will be a total blockade,” he added.

Jha said that on January 30, ignoring the biting cold and chilly winds, thousands of people, including a large number of women, farmers, farm labourers, workers, youths, students, teachers and others formed human chains. The call for the protest was given by the opposition Mahagathbandhan in the state to mark Martyrs’ Day.

Farmers under the banner of Left parties across the state on Wednesday took out protest marches against the Farm Laws.They conducted protest marches in Patna, Nawada, Bettiah, Jehanabad, Darbhanga and Madhubani.

The Mahagathbandhan has organised several protests against the Farm Laws over the past month in view of the fact that nearly two-thirds of Bihar’s total population of 12 crore is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Most of them are small and marginal farmers, as per government data. Moreover, nearly two-third of all agricultural activities in the state is dependent on rainfall.

Agriculture is the backbone of Bihar’s economy, employing 81% of the workforce and generating nearly 42% of the state’s gross domestic product, according to state government’s figures.