A breakaway section of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and central trade unions initiated their long-awaited Gramin Bharat Bandh on Friday, a few days after the farmers’ “Dilli Chalo” call. Farmers will participate in a massive chakka jam on major roads across the country from 12 pm to 4 pm, coinciding with the Gramin Bharat Bandh, which is scheduled to take place from 6 am to 4 pm. The majority of Punjab’s state and federal highways will be closed for four hours.
Which services will be hit?
Dr. Darshan Pal, an SKM member, previously stated that there will be no further supply or purchases of vegetables or other crops. According to him, requests have been made for village stores, grain and vegetable markets, government and non-government offices, rural industrial and service sector institutions, and private sector businesses to stay closed. According to Jagmohan Singh Patiala, an NCC member from SKM, public transportation will not operate on the roads because the protest call also involves the unions representing road workers.
Who are the KMM and the SKM?
The main organization of more than 500 farmer unions, SKM, organized the campaign against the now-repeated farm laws. It is not, however, participating in the “Dilli Chalo” demonstration. Although SKM (non-political) is a branch of SKM, which was established in July 2022 as a result of disagreements, the majority of KMM’s unions are also SKM factions.
14:36 (IST)16 FEB 2024
“The road has not been blocked, the route has been diverted. This (Grameen Bharat Bandh call) will continue till 2-3 pm. Tomorrow, monthly panchayat is in Sisoli (village in UP’s Meerut) where the future course of action will be decided,” says farmer leader Rakesh Tikait in Muzaffarnagar.
VIDEO | “The road has not been blocked, the route has been diverted. This (Grameen Bharat Bandh call) will continue till 2-3 pm. Tomorrow, monthly panchayat is in Sisoli (village in UP’s Meerut) where the future course of action will be decided,” says farmer leader Rakesh Tikait… pic.twitter.com/5FdjchS9W8
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 16, 2024
13:34 (IST)16 FEB 2024
Bharat Bandh: BSF Jawans Deployed at Rohtak Bus Depot for Security
12:16 (IST)16 FEB 2024
Live Updates: Farmers Seize Toll Plaza, Declare Toll-Free Passage for Commuters
As part of their “Dilli Chalo” protest, agitated farmers who have gathered along the Punjabi borders have been charged with lathi by the police. The farmer bodies have called for a takeover of all toll plazas in the state on Friday from 12 p.m.to 3 p.m.
11:55 (IST)16 FEB 2024
VIDEO | Farmers’ ‘Gramin Bharat Bandh’: Here’s what Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Gulbahar Rao said when asked about the closure of the vegetable market in Muzaffarnagar, UP.
“A mandi operates only when they (farmers) come (to sell their crop). Farmers haven’t even come… pic.twitter.com/lRayFeGcBy
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 16, 2024
11:27 (IST)16 FEB 2024
Bharat Bandh hits Bhubaneshwar Railway Station
10:53 (IST)16 FEB 2024
Bharat Bandh Alert: Noida Traffic Diversions Unveiled for Bharat Bandh, navigate Congestion with These Routes
- Vehicles heading from 130-metre road to Pari Chowk through Depot Roundabout can now use the Supertech Roundabout, Honda CL Chowk through P-03 Roundabout, and IFS Villa Roundabout for their destination.
2. For those traveling from Surajpur to Parichowk, the route has changed. Use the Expomart Roundabout through Knowledge Park via LG Roundabout to reach your destination.
3.If you’re driving via Noida-Greater Noida Expressway towards Parichowk, the new route is Knowledge Park/Expomart Roundabout through Hindon Cut/Galgotia Cut.
4.Vehicles moving from Kasna to Parichowk in the direction of Surajpur can reach their destination through the 130-metre road via Supertech Roundabout from Honda CL Chowk.
5.Travelers from Chilla Border to Delhi should now take the Sector 14A flyover through Golchakkar Chowk, Sector 15, Sandeep Paper Mill Chowk, and Jhundpura Chowk.
6.For those going from DND border to Delhi, the recommended route is via the elevated Filmcity flyover through Sector 18.
10:38 (IST)16 FEB 2024
SKM bandh call: Commuters left stranded as many buses stay off roads in Punjab convert this into a crisp subheading
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha called for a “Bharat Bandh” on Friday in order to pressure the government to accept farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP. As a result, many buses avoided the roads, causing delays for commuters in Punjab. Supporters of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s (SKM) bandh call include Punjab Roadways, Punbus, and PRTC Contract Workers’ Union. Farmer-led protests under the SKM banner will take place throughout the day in various locations in Punjab. The bandh is being attended by a number of farmer organizations, including Kirti Kisan Union, Bharatiya Kisan Union, Lakhowal, Dakunda, and Bharti Kisan Union.
At numerous bus stops, passengers could be seen waiting for buses to take them to their destinations. The lack of buses caused inconvenience mostly to office workers and students.
10:18 (IST)16 FEB 2024
Regarding the Bharat Bandh, CAIT General Secretary Praveen Khandelwal states that agitation cannot provide a solution
VIDEO | Here’s what CAIT General Secretary Praveen Khandelwal said on farmers’ ‘Gramin Bharat Bandh’ today.
“Not all businessmen of Delhi and the country are included in this (#BharatBandh). Every market is open today. It’s not completely possible to find a solution through… pic.twitter.com/phFUyP1DUk
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 16, 2024
09:55 (IST)16 FEB 2024
Bharat Bandh: Protestors Stage ‘Chakka Jam’ on Bathinda-Bhawanigarh Highway
09:40 (IST)16 FEB 2024
VIDEO | Farmers’ ‘Gramin Bharat Bandh’: Here’s what Kirti Kisan Union leader Karmjeet Singh said on farmers’ protest.
“Our demands include the repeal of four labour codes, to double the days under MNREGA to 200, and to cancel the hit-and-run law. The whole country and Punjab is… pic.twitter.com/YOyu8fCBdE
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 16, 2024
