Bharat Bandh: Farmers plan to take control of toll plazas

The ongoing protests by Punjab farmers entered its fourth day after the third round of discussions between the Punjab chief minister, farmer union leaders, and Union ministers concluded in the early hours of Friday. Simultaneously, the call for a Bharat Bandh by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has prompted numerous buses in Punjab to stay off the roads, leaving commuters stranded.

The farmers' agitation has not only prompted internet service suspensions but also witnessed 'rail roko' demonstrations and clashes with Haryana Police, resulting in injuries for some farmers. The protesting farmers are demanding a law on MSP (minimum support price), loan waivers and pensions among other things.

Some farmers have now announced plans to take control of toll plazas after they were stopped at the Punjab-Haryana border and not allowed to proceed to Delhi with their tractors.

Late last night, Union agriculture minister Arjun Munda addressed the media, saying his meeting with the farmers was "very positive". He announced that the next round of discussions is scheduled for Sunday.

Bharat Bandh call by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM)

Many buses in Punjab stayed off the roads, leaving commuters stranded. The farmers' protests have caused inconvenience to people travelling to or from Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The blocking of railway tracks has also affected several trains.

On Friday, commuters in Punjab experienced inconvenience as numerous buses refrained from operating in response to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha's call for a 'Bharat Bandh' to exert pressure on the government to meet farmers' demands.

The SKM bandh call has garnered support from Punjab Roadways, Punbus, and the PRTC Contract Workers' Union. Throughout the day, farmers, organised under the SKM banner, are set to conduct demonstrations at various locations in Punjab. Passengers were seen waiting for buses at multiple bus stands, leading to inconvenience, particularly for students and office-goers, due to the unavailability of buses.

The Gramin Bharat Bandh has been scheduled to take place from 6 am to 4 pm, during which farmers plan to participate in a widespread 'chakka jam' on major roads across the northern states from 12 pm to 4 pm.

In light of the Gramin Bharat Bandh declared by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and trade unions on Friday, the Gautam Buddh Nagar police have announced their plans for thorough inspections, alongside Delhi Police, by setting up barriers at all borders. To minimise traffic disruptions, the traffic police have recommended that individuals heading to Delhi make extensive use of the Metro.

In the ongoing farmers' agitation, now in its fourth day, the Haryana government has extended the suspension of internet services until February 17 (Saturday) to "prevent any disturbance of peace and public order." On Thursday, members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and BKU Dakaunda (Dhaner) staged 'rail roko' demonstrations at various railway stations in Punjab. The protests turned violent on Wednesday when the Haryana Police, attempting to prevent farmers from marching towards Delhi, used teargas shells and rubber bullets.

Police authorities stated, "All categories of goods vehicles will face restrictions on the route from Yamuna Expressway to Delhi through Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and from Sirsa to Surajpur to Pari Chowk."