The Delhi-Meerut highway has been blocked amid “Bharat bandh” – a nationwide shutdown called for by farmers protesting the farm laws. Transport services, offices and shops – particularly those selling fruits and vegetables – in some states and cities are likely to be affected. Police in Delhi and Haryana, where large numbers of farmers have set up camp amid police barricades, have issued advisories to re-route traffic where possible or warn commuters of delays. Farmer groups have emphasised this will be a “peaceful protest” and emergency services .
Delhi and Haryana Police have issued separate travel and traffic advisories for people looking to enter or leave the national capital region, which is likely to bear the brunt of the bandh after farmers camped at junctions along the UP and Haryana borders warning they will cut off road access to the city. Traffic on National Highways 9, 19, 24, 44 and 48 will be disrupted, with either sections or the whole of these roads closed.
Farmers’ outfits are observing a Bharat Bandh (nationwide shutdown) today to protest against the controversial new agriculture laws, with several trade and transport unions extending support and almost all opposition parties too backing their demands. Farmer leaders said their strike will remain peaceful and that no shops and establishments will be forcibly closed on account of the Bandh. “There will be complete ‘Bharat bandh’ till 3 pm Tuesday, but emergency services will be allowed,” farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal told reporters. The farmer leaders had earlier announced their intention to block all roads leading to Delhi, which has emerged as the epicentre of the protests against the farm laws, and occupy all toll plazas, but on Monday said they do not want to inconvenience the common people and have, hence, kept the timing of the chakka jam (blockade) from 11am to 3 pm. The Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Trinamool Congress, DMK and its allies, TRS, RJD, Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party and the Left are among the political parties that are backing the strike.
It is our duty to stand in unity with farmers and stay connected to their sentiments, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said. ” It is no political Bandh. It is our sentiment. Farmer organisations agitating in Delhi aren’t carrying any political flag. There is no politics here and there shouldn’t be,” Raut was quoted as saying by the ANI. He also reiterated that the government should talk to the farmers. ” If the government has a heart, be it the Home Minister or the Prime Minister, they themselves will go and talk to the farmers,” Raut said.
