New Delhi: The ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by farmers on Tuesday in protest against the three farm laws and joined by 19 political parties including Congress, began peacefully at 1100 Hrs but turned unruly at several places as activists of political parties turned violent and resorted to forcible road blockades.
Fearing hijacking of the Bandh by political parties, the centre had issued an advisory to state governments and Union Territory administrations to maintain law and order and strictly maintain COVID precautions.
The Bandh called by agitating farmers unions to be held a day before talks between them and the government on December nine, will be observed till 1600 hrs, the farmers leaders said and added that it was a symbolic protest.
Nineteen political parties including Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML), SP, BSP, AAP jumped into the protest and extended support to the Bandh. The AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had yesterday visited the protesting farmers and announced his support. AAP leaders alleged that Mr Kejriwal had been put under house arrest after his visit on Monday. Police, however, rubbished the allegation.
Congress and BJP activists clashed in Jaipur while in Patna political activists disrupted vehicular traffic and damaged private vehicles. On GT—Karnal road at Singhu border on the outskirts of the national capital, thousands of protestors shouted slogans and disrupted traffic.
On Delhi-NOIDA border Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) activists blocked the main road.
The nationwide strike on Tuesday is likely to have an impact in some northern states after several trade unions extended support to it even as the farmer leaders said that no one should be forced to join the shutdown. With almost all opposition parties too backing the ‘Bharat Bandh’ and many announcing parallel protests, the Centre has issued an advisory directing the states and UTs to tighten security and ensure peace is maintained. Appealing to everyone to join the “symbolic” bandh, farmer leaders said they will block key roads during their ‘chakka jam’ protest from 11 am till 3 pm as part of their stir.
Supporting the bandh, members of the Karnataka State Lorry Owners Federation have decided to stay off roads in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. MR Kumarasamy, president of the federation, said that the lorries will not ply from 6am to 6pm. “Five lakh vehicles across TN will stay off roads and lorries from other states too will not be operated in the state,” he said.
