Farmer leaders announce a nationwide protest on Feb 6, demanding the repeal of 3 farm bills

Last updated on February 6th, 2021 at 08:58 am

It’s been 69 days; tens of thousands of angry farmers have been protesting on the borders of New Delhi, despite the rain and cold temperatures. The farmers have announced a (chakka jam) nationwide agitation on Feb 6, demanding the repeal of farm laws.

In Sept 2020, the Parliament of India passed 3 new farm laws; The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.

On Jan 12, The Supreme Court of India has put a stay order on the enactment of the three farm laws. The stay order means that the Center cannot proceed to implement the law at present.

The farmers began their protest in various states but as their demands were largely ignored by the Central government, they decided to head towards the National Capital in Nov 2020.

“A section of protesting farmers decided to call a nationwide protest on Feb 6. We will block streets between 12 pm and 3 pm,” Bhartiya Kisan Union (R) leader Balbir Singh Rajewal stated on Monday, as per ANI news.

On Feb 2, the Delhi Police have advised avoiding Outer Ring Road, NH44, and GTK road. The traffic has been diverted at Nizammudin Khatta and Akshardham towards Anand Vihar, DND flyover, Chilla, Bhopra, Apsara, and Loni border, including traffic from Saboli, Singhu, and Maniyari borders.

The chakka jam has been called by the farmers union to reemphasize their demands to repeal the new farm laws. Adding, barricading of roads, suspension of internet connection at the border areas, and the budget announcement on Feb 1 to their protest.

Ghazipur saw an increased restriction on Monday and continues to cause problems for daily commuters in the Delhi-NCR region. The farmers also alleged that they were ignored in the 2021-2022 budget, and the electricity and water supply are cut at the protest areas, The Hindustan Times detailed.

According to the ANI reports, on Monday, the Delhi Police Commissioner S N Srivastava visited the Ghazipur border to assess the security arrangements. The Police have intensely barricaded the Ghazipur border area with barbed wire, concrete barriers, and nails planted on cement on roads to restrict the movement of protesters.