Locals near Shambhu hopeful of solution, opening of highway

Villagers residing near Shambhu, who have been suffering due to the continuous blockade at the national highway, are hopeful that the farmers and the Haryana Government would reach a solution and the highway would open soon.

Majority of the villagers and residents of nearby villages of Shambhu, who had participated big time in the farmers show of strength in February during the Delhi Chalo march, stayed away from the protest today.

Suffering hardships and losses due to the continued stalemate between the agitating farmers in Punjab and the Haryana Police who have sealed the borders, these villagers are hopeful of a permanent solution to the problem.

A provision store owner, Kulwant Singh (64), says that he has suffered financial losses due to the continuous agitation as the highway is sealed and there is no traffic movement. “I have also let go of my helpers at the shop as I was unable to pay them,” he said.

Another dhaba owner, who has suffered losses worth lakhs, said that in February, when the farmers first reached Shambhu, he had joined the protest and also served free tea, snacks and milk for all the protesting farmers.

“However after two weeks, there were hardly any customers due to the blockade by farmers and traffic diversions. My losses mounted and now I am praying every day that this blockade be lifted. The farmer unions should think about people like us too. Many like me have shut businesses as there are no customers for the past over nine months and we were suffering losses,” he said.

“I have to pay for my family’s food and other household expenditures, but I have earned nothing since February 12. I am a small mechanic and earn daily by repairing vehicles. I own three acres and it is tough for me to manage the expenses of my family. Unlike last time, I decided to stay away from the protest, which has brought losses,” says Satwant Singh, who owns a small kiosk on the national highway near Shambhu. “I know the farmers are fighting for a cause, but my request to them and the government is to ensure a resolution soon, so that the common man does not suffer,” he stated.

Earlier in June, hundreds of residents, traders and shopkeepers from nearby villages had reached the dharna site of the farmer unions at Shambhu and said that the dharna from the past many months meant financial losses and adding to the woes of commuters. The farmer unions had termed them “BJP-sponsored agents”, many of whom they alleged were “involved with the mining mafia”.