COURTESY HT SEPT 25

Haryana farmers, commission agents back Bharat bandh against ordinances

Neeraj Mohan

neeraj.mohan@hindustantimes.com

Karnal : Despite the passage of agriculture reform bills in Parliament, the protests in Haryana continue with several organizations gearing up to support the Bharat Bandh call on September 25.

Farmer leaders said that several farmer organizations like Bharatiya kisan union (BKU), all India farmers union (AIFU), all India kisan sangharsh coordination committee (AIKSCC), all India kisan mahasangh (AIKM) have come on a common platform for the nationwide shutdown.

Farmer leaders in Haryana are considering blocking the rail and road traffic in various districts of the state on the day, said leaders familiar with the developments.

Farmer union leaders, including the BKU (Charuni) and BKU (Tikait) were holding meetings with leaders of different organizations like Ahritia’s (commission agents) association, transporters and shopkeepers to support the Bharat Bandh by keeping their shops shut from 10am to 4 pm. They claimed that all the mandis in the state had decided to remain shut and there will be no business on Friday.

“In Haryana we have asked the farmers organizations, ahrtias and transporters to support the Bharat Bandh against the three agriculture bills passed by the centre by blocking the roads and taking out protest march in all the districts of the state,” said a BKU (Charuni) leader, who didn’t wish to be named.

On reports that farmers may also block the railway lines, he said, “This is not yet confirmed where we will block the roads or railway lines but the protest will be successful as we have got huge support from several farmer organisations and ahrtia associations of the state”.

BKU (Tikait) state president Ratan Mann said they are also requesting the shopkeepers, trade unions and employees unions to join the protests to protect the interests of the farmers and their coming generations. This will be the third such protest in the state in the past two weeks.