A Kishan Ekta group members, protesting at Tikri border, say they could sit in protest for six months if their demands are not fulfilled.
NEW DELHI — The Saturday sun rose as farmers at Delhi’s Singhu and Tikri borders woke up ready to push through another day of protests, and slogans of “black laws” greeted the chilly morning air.
Amid high security arrangements, the sloganeering continued on both the borders — Singhu and Tikri — with thousands of farmers sticking to their demands seeking roll back of three central government’s farm laws.
In an unusual sight, the farmers were self barricading themselves so that peace and harmony could be maintained as the agitations continued but the road blockade was leading problems to commuters as traffic was diverted at various routes heading towards these borders.
In a single voice they have stuck to their demands and this agitation has been planned for two months. They will not end their protest until the government gives in to their demands — repeal the agriculture laws passed in the Monsoon Session of the parliament.
A Kishan Ekta group members, who were protesting at Tikri border, say they could sit in protest for six months if their demands are not fulfilled.
“We have arrangements for food and other things for the next six months. We can easily sit here in protest for months if our demands are not met,” said the group which came from Fatehabad.
Security forces have been kept busy in preparing deployment arrangements with senior officials briefing them how to handle the situation as the agitation entered the weekend after the marchesstarted on Thursday from Punjab, Haryana and four morestates.
With the possibility of more farmers approaching the border and trying to enter the national capital, concrete slabs, concertina wire, trucks filled with sand are still in place.
Edgy policemen have fired teargas rounds on Friday to keep huge throngs of agitating farmers at the Singhu and Tikri borders in a day-long face-off.
Later in the evening, the administration finally relented and offered the Nirankari Samagam grounds at Burari in north Delhi to farmers leaders protesting on Singhu Border on the Delhi-Chandigarh highway.
A few farmer leaders reached Burari ground late while several stayed back at the barricades.
Around 50 km, the Tikri border too witnessed similar clash the whole day on Friday as farmers were targeted with water cannons by police when they attempted to move into the national capital with their trucks and trackers.
The police also blocked farmers’ way through concrete slabs.
As per ground report, over 300 tractors and several trucks are still parked on the other side of both the borders. However, portable toilets, water tankers, mobile dispensary and langar service were provided for ther farmers in the night.
Aam Aadmi Party welcomes farmers
Even as a section of Delhi-bound farmers were allowed to visit north Delhi’s Burari ground to hold their protest, banners were put by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party to welcome the protesters in the national capital.
“Farmers of the country are warmly welcomed to Delhi,” read the banners put up by the AAP on behalf of party’s area MLAs in the Burari ground, also known as Nirankari ground, and nearby streets.
Meanwhile, women members of organisations supporting the farmers — protesting against three central agricultural laws — voiced their demands through various tribal dances.
The farmers are sticking to their demand for revocation of the said laws and asserted that they will not end their protest until the government gives in.
Meanwhile, efforts were on to provide basic facilities to the farmers camping at the Nirankari ground, including drinking water, tents and mobile toilets. AAP leader Raghav Chadha had visited Burari to take of the situation.
Security has also been beefed up in and around the area. Police and CISF personnel have been deployed at the ground. Checking of vehicles was taken up throughout the city to thwart any untoward incident. — IANS