Farmer leaders said they will block key roads during from 11 AM to 3 PM (File)
The protesting farmers have called for a nationwide shutdown on Tuesday against the new farm laws. The shutdown or bandh is likely to have an impact in parts of north India and some non-BJP ruled states elsewhere, even as the farmer leaders said that no one should be forced to join the shutdown.
With almost all opposition parties and several trade unions backing the ''Bharat Bandh'' and many announcing parallel protests in support of the farmers, the Centre has issued an advisory directing all the states and Union Territories to tighten security and ensure COVID guidelines are followed. The railways too asked its personnel to step up vigil saying protesters may organise rail blockades in 16 states.
Appealing to everyone to join the "symbolic" bandh, farmer leaders said they will block key roads during their ''chakka jam'' protest from 11 AM to 3 PM as part of their stir, which has drawn people from northern states especially Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi since the last 12 days.
Here are the live updates on farmers' protests:
Bharat Bandh: Farmers stop train in Maharashtra
Members of a farmers' organisation on Tuesday staged a ''rail roko'' in Maharashtra's Buldhana district as part of the Bharat Bandh called by agitating farmer unions to press for repeal of the Centre's agri laws.
Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna members stopped the Chennai-Ahmedabad Navjeevan Express at Malkapur station in Buldhana district while protesting against the farm laws.
Police detained Sanghatana leader Ravikant Tupkar and his supporters over the incident, after removing them from the rail tracks, an official said.
Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in Navi Mumbai, Nashik, Dhule, Pune and Solapur are closed during the bandh.
Farmers Protest Live - "Must Be Allowed To Protest": US Lawmakers Back Farmers
India has called the remarks by foreign leaders on protests by farmers as "ill-informed" and "unwarranted" as the matter pertained to the internal affairs of a democratic country.
"I stand in solidarity with the Punjabi farmers in India protesting for their livelihoods and protection from misguided, manipulative government regulations," Congressman Doug LaMalfa said on Monday.
Several US lawmakers have voiced their support for farmers agitating in India against the new farm laws and urged that they be allowed to protest peacefully.
"I stand in solidarity with the Punjabi farmers in India protesting for their livelihoods and protection from misguided, manipulative government regulations," Congressman Doug LaMalfa said on Monday.
Farmers Protest Live: Maharashtra government extends support for Bharat Bandh
The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government has extended the support for Bharat bandh. Various farmer outfits across the state will be protesting today.
However Mumbai , the financial capital, will mostly be functioning. But the biggest APMC market- Vashi APMC market will remain shut for the day.
The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government has extended the support for Bharat bandh. Various farmer outfits across the state will be protesting today.
However Mumbai , the financial capital, will mostly be functioning. But the biggest APMC market- Vashi APMC market will remain shut for the day.
Farmers Protest: "Kerala Government To Move Supreme Court Against Farm Laws," Says Minister
The Kerala government will not implement the contentious farm laws and will move the Supreme Court against them this week itself, Agriculture Minister VS Sunilkumar said in Thrissur on Monday.
"We will not implement the farm laws. The state government is ready to face any action to be taken by the central government. We will move the Supreme Court against these laws this week itself," he told reporters.
He said the Centre's move amounted to usurping the authority of state governments, which has been ensured by the Constitution.
The Kerala government will not implement the contentious farm laws and will move the Supreme Court against them this week itself, Agriculture Minister VS Sunilkumar said in Thrissur on Monday.
"We will not implement the farm laws. The state government is ready to face any action to be taken by the central government. We will move the Supreme Court against these laws this week itself," he told reporters.
He said the Centre's move amounted to usurping the authority of state governments, which has been ensured by the Constitution.
Farmers Protest: Haryana Farmers' Groups Say Okay With Amended Farm Laws
A letter signed by the three organisations read: "These bills should be continued as suggested by farmer organizations. We are in favour of MSP and mandi (specialised market) system as suggested by farmers' organizations. But we request you to continue these laws with suggested amendments."
A section of Haryana farmers have accepted in writing that they want the farm laws to stay, but with amendments. Representatives of three groups, which claimed to cumulatively represent 1,20,000 farmers from the state, met agriculture minister Narendra Tomar this evening, ahead of tomorrow's all-India strike by farmers and the sixth meeting between the farmers and the Centre on Wednesday.
Bharat Bandh: Roads To Avoid In Haryana And Delhi
Haryana Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Navdeep Singh Virk said that elaborate arrangements have been made by the civil and police administration, as per directions of the state government.
The Delhi Police said adequate arrangements have been made to ensure normal movement of people on roads during the "Bharat Bandh" on Tuesday. "Delhi Police has also issued a traffic advisory for smooth movement of vehicles and commuters. Anybody who tries to disrupt normal movement, life or forcefully closes shops will be strongly dealt with, as per the law," Delhi Police (PRO) Eish Singhal said.
The Haryana and Delhi Police have issued separate advisories on the traffic situation in view of the nation-wide "Bharat Bandh" called on Tuesday by farmers protesting against the Centre's new farm laws.
The Delhi Police said adequate arrangements have been made to ensure normal movement of people on roads during the "Bharat Bandh" on Tuesday. "Delhi Police has also issued a traffic advisory for smooth movement of vehicles and commuters. Anybody who tries to disrupt normal movement, life or forcefully closes shops will be strongly dealt with, as per the law," Delhi Police (PRO) Eish Singhal said.
Farmers Protest Latest news: Bharat Bandh Amid Farmer Protests, Cops Issue Travel Advisory
The "Bharat bandh" - a nationwide shutdown called for by farmers protesting the farm laws - will run from 11 AM to 3 PM, with transport services, offices and shops - particularly those selling fruits and vegetables - in some states and cities likely to be affected. Police in Delhi and Haryana, where large numbers of farmers have set up camp amid police barricades, have issued advisories to re-route traffic where possible or warn commuters of delays.
Farmer groups are also expected to block highways and occupy toll plazas, but they have emphasised this will be a "peaceful protest" and emergency services - like ambulances - will not be stopped or delayed.
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