The BKU plans to conduct the tractor march along the Yamuna Expressway, stretching from Mehndipur in Rabupura to Falaida. To maintain order and security during the event, the police have implemented prohibitory orders under Section 144 and deployed additional personnel at key entry and exit points of Delhi and Noida. The farmers’ organizations have organized a tractor march along the Yamuna Expressway, passing through the Luharli Toll Plaza and Mahamaya Flyover.
To address the expected traffic disturbances, the Noida Police has detailed specific steps in their traffic advisory. Vehicles heading from the Chilla border to Delhi can utilize the Sector 14A flyover, while those originating from the DND border can opt for the elevated route through the Film City flyover in Sector 18. Similarly, vehicles from the Kalindi border can navigate through the Mahamaya flyover to Sector 37. For commuters using the Yamuna Expressway, the advisory suggests using alternative routes and metro to minimize inconvenience.
Goods vehicles on specific routes will have to face restrictions, and drivers are advised to consider alternative paths to reach their destinations. The Delhi police yesterday lifted some of the barriers at the Singhu and Tikri borders as the farmers decided to halt their proposed march towards the national capital.
The SKM has announced to observe ‘Quit WTO Day’ today, demanding that the Centre pressurize developed countries to keep agriculture out of the World Trade Organization discussions. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, has reiterated the demand for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) from the government, ahead of the launch of a nationwide tractor procession on highways to press for their demands.He emphasized the need for India to withdraw from the World Trade Organization (WTO), citing the detrimental impact of WTO policies on farmers.
Pandher criticized the WTO’s policies, stating that they do not provide farmers with adequate rights. He highlighted the stark contrast between the subsidies provided to American farmers (USD 8500 annually) and Indian farmers (Rs 258), emphasizing the unfair competition that results from this disparity. He urged the Indian government to withdraw from the WTO, asserting that without this action, the situation for farmers would not improve.
Farmers from India to Europe are joining forces to demand fairness and change. They’re facing lower crop prices, higher costs, strict rules, big stores, debt, losing their land, climate change, and cheap imports. Recently, farmers in France, Italy, Romania, Poland, Greece, Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands have been protesting. This isn’t just a few protests—it’s a big movement, a call for everyone to stand together against tough times.
BY – KASHISH JAIN
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The farmers claimed that a 22-year-old protestor from Bathinda, Shubhkaran Singh, was killed during the clash with the police. However, the police have denied this claim, calling it a rumor.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has assured action and announced financial aid for the family of the deceased protestor. He also stated that an FIR will be filed after the post-mortem. Security forces used tear gas, firing at least three rounds by Wednesday evening. The ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest march was initiated by farmers following a failure of talks with the Centre over minimum support price (MSP) guarantees.
Shubhkaran Singh, a 21-year-old farmer from Bhatinda, was killed on Wednesday in clashes between security personnel and protesting farmers at the Khanauri border. Twelve police personnel were also injured in the clashes.
The medical superintendent of Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, H S Rekhi, stated that Singh suffered a head injury, but the exact cause of death will be ascertained after the post-mortem. According to official reports, Shubhkaran Singh succumbed to a bullet injury. Farmers at the border alleged that the police used rubber bullets in addition to tear gas shells. Conversely, the Haryana police claimed that the farmers instigated the violence by attacking security personnel with stones and sticks. Later that evening, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who was hit by a teargas shell, was admitted to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. AAP leader and Punjab health minister Balbir Singh condemned the police’s actions as an “assault on democracy.” Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal asserted that Singh’s death was a result of police gunfire, although this has not been officially confirmed.
Shubhkaran Singh was a resident of Balloh village in Bathinda, about 15 kilometers from Rampura Phul city. He was described as a hard-working contract farmer who cultivated 20 acres of land on contract with his uncle Charanjit Singh. He was also an activist of the Bhartiya Kisan Union Sidhupur and had participated in the 2021 farmers’ agitation.
Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda stated that though several rounds of discussions with the farmers were held, more efforts have to be made from both sides to reach a consensus. He affirmed the central government’s commitment to working for the interest of farmers. The government and the protesting farmers must work together to find a mutually beneficial solution that addresses the concerns of the farming community while ensuring the safety and security of all involved.
By – Kashish Jain
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