'Dilli Chalo' protest: Doaba farmers head to Delhi in hordes

Aparna Banerji

Jalandhar, February 11

Hundreds of Doaba-based farmers on more than 150 tractor-trailers left for Delhi today with ration of six months. Even more are in queue to take part in ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) on February 13.

Though several farm unions, which participated in the previous Delhi stir, have distanced themselves from this protest, members of a number of unions, including the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC), Kisan Sangharsh Committee (Kot Budha) and Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Sidhupur), among others, have decided to head to Delhi in hordes.

Salwinder Singh Jania of the KMSC, who is going to the national capital along with farmers from Jalandhar today, said, “We are taking ration and clothes as we are prepared for a long haul. Though the Centre has installed barricades to stop farmers, thousands of tractor-trailers will head to Delhi today and tomorrow.”

Speaking on the lack of participation of several farm unions, Jania said, “They are the ones who were political. They have already lost confidence of the masses.”

Ranjodh Singh of the KMSC, said, “Over 150 tractor-trailers from Doaba have left for Delhi today. I will also join them soon.”

Paramjit Singh of the Kisan Sangharsh Committee (Kot Budha), said, “Farmers on 30 trailers from Jalandhar and Kapurthala will move to Delhi. The barricades can’t deter us. Our food is packed. We have tractors, tochans (towing cables) and other essentials items with us. Farmers knew about barricades in advance and are prepared to overcome the obstacles.”

Kulwinder Singh Machiana, district chief, BKU (Ekta-Sidhupur) said, “Our convoy of 50 tractor-trailers will head to Delhi on Monday morning. A large number of vehicles will join us from Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala.”