From blocking roads to using brutal force on them including water cannons and tear gas, BJP-ruled Haryana had made everything the state can possibly do to stop the thousands of farmers from Punjab from marching to Delhi to protest against the farm laws.
But it failed to stop the marchers and they have been at the borders of Delhi for more than three weeks now.
BCCL
And the protests are only getting stronger and spreading to more borders, encircling the national capital.
As the protests continue, another BJP-ruled state that shares borders with Delhi is using another tactic to prevent the farmers from protesting.
The Sambhal district administration in Uttar Pradesh had issued notices to six farmer leaders asking them to submit personal bonds of Rs 50 lakhs each to prevent them from “inciting” farmers to join the protests against the new farm laws.
BCCL
The notices were issued to Bharatiya Kisan Union (Asli) district president Rajpal Singh Yadav and farmer leaders Jaiveer Singh, Brahmachari Yadav, Satendra Yadav, Raudas and Veer Singh. They have been organising protests in the district over the Centre’s three contentious farm legislations.
The notices have been issued under Section 111 (magistrate order against any person who is likely to commit breach of peace) of the Code of Criminal Procedure on the basis of a report submitted by police.
“We’ve got a report from the Hayatnagar police station that some persons are inciting farmers and there can be breach of peace, and they should be asked to fill personal bonds of Rs 50 lakh each,” Subdivisional Magistrate Deependra Yadav said.
AFP
The farmers said the amount was too much, following which the police station incharge gave another report and they were asked to submit personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each, according to Yadav.
Singhu and Tikri along Haryana and Ghazipur along UP have come up as the most prominent protest sites for the ongoing farmers’ agitation.
Farmers camping at the border points have led to closure of several routes in Delhi and traffic blockades.
Those travelling to Haryana can take Jharoda (only single carriageway), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera Borders, the police said.
Gazipur border also remains closed for traffic coming from Gaziabad to Delhi. Commuters have been advised to take alternate routes via Anand Vihar, DND, Chilla, Apsara and Bhopra borders, they added.
AFP
Recently, the farmers who have largely enjoyed the support of the masses had made it clear that they do not intend to cause troubles for the common people and have apologized for any inconvenience caused.
On Monday, the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, which is spearheading the protests at Delhi border points, distributed handbills to commuters on the Jaipur-Delhi Highway near Haryana-Rajasthan borders, where hundreds of farmers have been camping, to convey their apology, and also reiterate their demand for legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).