Skip to main content
xYOU DESERVE INDEPENDENT, CRITICAL MEDIA. We want readers like you. Support independent critical media.

Live Blog: Lakhs of Farmers Waiting at Delhi Borders, Govt. Scrambling for Control

On R-Day, sea of tractors surrounds Delhi, protests across country
Lakhs of Farmers Waiting at Delhi Borders

The historic Tractor Parade by protesting farmers got off to an unpredicted start today early morning, with sections of farmers veering off from the pre-decided route at several points. This happened at Singhu, Tikri, Chilla and Ghazipur borders. The main reason  was that the number of farmers arriving for the rally was far greater than anticipated either by the administration or the farmers' unions themselves. At Singhu border, the line of tractors heading for Delhi stretches back nearly a hundred kilometers till Panipat. Similarly at all other points. 

At Chilla (Delhi-Noida border) permission was earlier denied but farmers broke through the barricades. Police teargassed them. Currently, police has agreed to allow a parade from there.

Since enthusiasm and energy was high thousands of farmers pressed forward in an attempt to head towards the central parts of Delhi. This has led to teargassing and clashes at Mukarba Chowk, Nangloi, Akshardham Temple and near Badarpur border. Farmers have removed huge containers, dumpers and other heavy vehicles planted across roads by police to prevent movement.

Currently attempts are being made by farmers leaders to stick to pre decided routes and persuade farmers to follow them. Security personnel are out numbered.

Meanwhile farmers rallies, tractor parades and other protests are going on across the country. In several states protests will start in the afternoon.

 

Live blog

Solidarity Protest in Salem District, Tamil Nadu

Salem | Over 500 people participated in the solidarity protest in Salem district. The call given by farmers' organisations was also joined by trade unions. AIKS district secretary A Ramamoorthy said that police did not give permission to hold the rally till the last minute, but participants ensured they marked their protest. A march was carried out till the District Collector’s office and a public meeting was held. 

Solidarity Protest in Salem Distric

 

Farmers parades organised Across Rural Andhra

Rythu Kavatulu (farmers parades) have been organised across numerous centres in Rural Andhra Pradesh. Protest rallies are ongoing in Amalapuram, Addanki, Araku, Mangalagiri, Srikakulam, Anantapur and other regions of the state.

Hundreds of farmers participated in the tractor and vehicles parade in Kurnool town. The parade was followed by a public meeting. Speaking at the meeting, AIKSCC leader V Srinivasulu said that the farmers are fighting to save the future of the agriculture sector in the country. "For the last two months, farmers are protesting on streets to stop the corporate takeover of agriculture. The new farm laws are nothing less than capital punishment for farmers. If the government wants to do some good to the farmers, why is it not implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission," he said.

 

Tractor Rallies Hit the Streets in MP’s Rewa and Satna

In Madhya Pradesh's Rewa and Satna district, farmers today organised a massive tractor rally. In Rewa, farmers hit the streets with tractors around 11 am, marching from Krishi Mandi to SF Square after hoisting the tricolour to mark Republic Day despite not having permission from the district administration.

In Satna's Rampur Baghelan, farmers took out a tractor rally under the banner of Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh. 

Subash Pandey of Mahasangh said that farmers in MP's Vindhya region have also joined hands against the three farm laws and they are supporting the tractor rally in large numbers.

Internet disabled in certain areas in Delhi, say reports.

Ministry of Home Affairs temporarily suspends internet in Singhu border, Ghazipur border, Tikri border, Mukarba Chowk and Nangloi from 12:00 hrs to 23:59 hrs today January 26th, 2021.

Tractor Parades, Dharnas Organised Across Bihar

Patna: Tractor marches were organised across Bihar on January 26 in solidarity with the protesting farmers and demanding the repeal of three farm laws, which saw the participation of thousands of people, including farmers and Left parties' leaders and workers. In the state capital of Patna, a tractor march was taken out in Phulwari Sharif, led by Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninst) MLA Gopal Ravidas from AIIMS-Patna to Chitkohra bridge. Large numbers of two-wheelers, bicycles, autorickshaws and four-wheelers also joined the march in support of the protesting farmers.
CPI (ML) leader Dhirendar Jha said that their party and the Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Mahasabha have jointly organised tractor marches in rural areas of the state, including Darbhanga, Arwal, East Champaran, Araria, Masaurhi and Paliganj in Patna, Begusarai and Buxar districts." Arun Kumar Mishra from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said they too have organised tractor rallies as well as dharnas in rural parts of the state on January 26 to garner support against the three farm laws. He added they are also mobilising farmers for a human chain against the farm laws.

The opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) including the Left parties in Bihar are also campaigning at the grassroots level to garner support for a human chain on January 30 in support of the farmers.

Get the latest reports & analysis with people's perspective on Protests, movements & deep analytical videos, discussions of the current affairs in your Telegram app. Subscribe to NewsClick's Telegram channel & get Real-Time updates on stories, as they get published on our website.

Subscribe Newsclick On Telegram

Latest