Farmers block NH-73 in Barwala for 3 hrs

Panchkula, September 20

Farmers under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Haryana, blocked the National Highway (NH) 73 in Barwala here in protest against the Centre’s farm Bills.

The three-hour protest, which started around 12 noon, was lifted at 3 pm. Heavy police force was deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

Narender Nayagaanv, district president of the BKU, Haryana, said: “We thank all farmers for their support in making the protest peaceful. We will visit villages to enlighten farmers on ‘unjust’ policies of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government and urge them to also support the Bharat Bandh call given by farmer organisations on September 25.”

Former Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana and Congress leader Chander Mohan extended support to the protesters and demanded a rollback of farm sector Bills.

“The Minimum Price Support (MSP) system should not be tinkered with. Farmers injured during lathicharge in Pipli should be given compensation and FIRs against protesting farmers should be withdrawn. It should be ensured that farmers get benefits of various schemes such as PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana,” the Congress leader said.

He termed the bills as “anti-farmer” and “anti-national.” “This day will go down in history as black day. The BJP will have to pay heavy price for its ‘anti-farmer, anti-trader and anti-labourer’ policies,” he said.

The local unit of the Congress has decided to stage a protest near the DC office in Sector 1 here tomorrow on the same issue. Party leaders will also submit a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind through Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Kumar Ahuja. — TNS