Highlights:
- Between 12 noon and 3 pm on February 6, the protesting farmers’ unions declared a nationwide ‘chakka jam’ protest
- The protest is against the bills of the law, the internet ban in areas near their sites of agitation, harassment allegedly brought to them by officials, and other issues
- They also said that in the Union Budget 2021-221, farmers have been “ignored”
On February 6 (Saturday), farmers’ unions called for a national ‘chakka jam’ as part of the ongoing agitation against the three central farm laws. The Kisan unions have announced that for three hours on Saturday they will create blockades on different national as well as state highways across the country.
The ‘chakka jam’ will be implemented by farmers’ unions to protest against the government’s ban on internet services levied in areas close to their agitation sites. The unions have called it government harassment.
Also Read: Union Budget 2021: Key Highlights for The Auto Industry
Speaking at a press conference at the Singhu Border on Monday, Kisan union leaders said highways and roads would be blocked on February 6 from 12 noon to 3 pm (Saturday).
The unions said that by cutting water and power supplies to the protest sites, the authorities were attempting to kill off their agitation. In addition, they alleged, mobile toilet blocks are also being taken away from the protest venues.
The unions further alleged that the farmers were ‘ignored’ by the Union Budget 2021-22 presented yesterday.
Delhi: Police personnel continue to be deployed at Singhu border where farmers' protest against three farm laws enters day 69; latest visuals from near the protest site pic.twitter.com/YH9kX0wihg
— ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2021
According to Samkyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the umbrella body of protesting farmers’ unions, Kisan Ekta Morcha’s Twitter accounts and others active in the agitation were blocked by the Central Government’s instructions.
Unions will hold a meeting to work out the modalities of the ‘chakka jam’ on 6 February, according to Punjab farmers’ chief Balbir Singh Rajewal.
Balbir Singh Rajewal further said, “Our protest on February 6 will also be against this harassment of journalists seeking to report the facts from the field, and the restrictions on Twitter.”
Meanwhile, yesterday, the government claimed that it was committed to the welfare of farmers.
Yesterday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a 10 percent rise in the disbursement target of farm loans to Rs 16.5 lakh crore. The budget has also implemented a cessation of agri-infrastructure and production to construct post-harvest infrastructure to increase farmers’ incomes.
