Farmers Protest Against Indo-US Trade Deal
New Delhi: A day after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest that shook the streets of Delhi, farmers from Punjab and Haryana are now marching on the national capital with their demands, adding to the authorities' headache.
A Kisan Mahapanchayat, under the banner of ' Desh Bachao Morcha' against the proposed India- US trade deal, was held at Delhi's Kisan Ghat today. Farmer leaders from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan attended the Mahapanchayat.
Two groups of farmers, one from Haryana and another from Punjab, made their way to Delhi. However, the Punjab group was stopped by the police at the Shambhu border. A blockade has also been put at Khanauri. Prohibitory orders under BNS section 163 are in force at both places. Both are the entry points into Haryana from Punjab.
Two companies of the RAF and one company of the Haryana police were deployed at the Panipat toll plaza on NH-44 to stop a group of Haryana farmers, which had started a foot march to Delhi from Karnal.
Farmer organisations, including the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, argue that allowing cheaper agricultural imports from the US could severely impact indian farmers, agricultural labourers, livestock rearers and small traders.
According to protesting unions, the proposed agreement could extend beyond a few agricultural commodities and eventually cover dairy, industry, digital trade, e-commerce, government procurement, intellectual property rights and services.
The unions have urged the Centre to scrap the proposed India- US trade agreement and protect the interests of farmers and ordinary citizens.
