GHAZIABAD/GURUGRAM: Farmers blocked the eastern and western peripheral expressways in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana in protest against the three agricultural laws from 8am on Saturday. The demonstrations, which will continue till 8am on Sunday, were in addition to the usual protest that is taking place at the borders around Delhi for the past several months.
The demonstrations came a day after the Supreme Court reiterated that public roads cannot be blocked for long by protesters and there should be free flow of traffic. The court on Friday also impleaded the UP and Haryana governments on a petition seeking clearance of roads at the Delhi borders blocked by the protesting farmers.
In Ghaziabad on Saturday, farmers placed their tractors on the Dasna part of the EPE and blocked traffic from the morning. Most commuters were caught off guard and were seen pleading with the protesters to let them pass. “We have to visit an ailing relative in Ghaziabad. Please allow us to go,” a commuter pleaded with folded hands.
When the farmers refused to budge, traffic police officers reached the spot and helped the stuck commuters pass through alternative routes. “We were not aware of the blockade in the first place. This is becoming a regular feature now. It is the common man who is paying for it,” a commuter said. “On one hand, we are battling the pandemic. On the other, regular blockades are making our lives equally miserable. The government should do something about it,” he added.
In the scorching weather, many of the farmers sat under the shade of their tractor-trolleys. Jagtar Singh Bajwa, who has been protesting at UP Gate for months, said, “Saturday’s demonstration is part of a series of protests we have planned. We had intimated the administration much in advance. Similar programmes have been planned on April 13 and 14 too.”
In Haryana, farmers from the Mewati Kisan Morcha assembled near the Rewasan toll plaza and blocked both carriageways of the WPE around 11.30am, which led to a 3km long pile-up.
Police evicted the protesters after an hour and 15 of them were taken to the police station for some time. However, farmers from Palwal reached the WPE around 3pm and blocked it for two hours. The blockade affected traffic in Badli, Asaudha, Kharkhoda and Kundli while Gurugram was spared the snarls. Traffic between Palwal and Badli eased somewhat around 5pm.
“Our agitation against the three laws will continue until the Centre withdraws them. We are collating our strength now. Farmers from across the state are coming for more such agitations,” said Ramzan Chaudhary, who heads the Jai Kisan Andolan in Nuh.
Haryana Police had deployed several teams on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, which connects with WPE. “All senior police officers were patrolling in their respective areas. Hundreds of police personnel were deployed. A fire engine and ambulance were also stationed to tackle any untoward situation,” a police officer said.