The farmer unions, united under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) banner, along with central trade unions, have announced a nationwide strike scheduled for February 16. Dubbed as “Gramin Bharat Bandh,” the strike will last from 6 AM to 4 PM. During this time, farmers will participate in extensive road blockades, known as chakka jam, from 12 PM to 4 PM on major thoroughfares nationwide. The protesting farmers have indicated that a significant portion of both state and national highways in Punjab will be obstructed for four hours as part of the demonstration.
While holding a meeting in Ludhiana, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, the General Secretary of BKU Lakhowal, unveiled the strategy concerning the Gramin Bharat Bandh.
Bharat Bandh
The day-long strike on February 16 will start from 6 AM to 4 PM as the farmers will join in massive chakka jam on major roads across the country from 12 PM to 4 PM.
The protesting farmers from Punjab, joined by counterparts from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, commenced their ‘Chalo Delhi’ march on February 13 following an inconclusive meeting with the Union government. Along with other protesters, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have also called the protest to press the Centre to accept their demands, including the enactment of a law to guarantee a minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
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Will Emergency Services be Available?
He said that no farmer, agricultural worker or rural worker will work that day and they will ensure passage to emergency services of ambulances, death, marriage, medical shops, newspaper supply, students going for board exams and passengers to the airport. He further stated that the trading and procurement of vegetables and other crops would be halted.
According to the farmer leader, the village shops, grain markets, vegetable markets, governmental and nongovernmental offices, rural industrial and service sector establishments, as well as private sector enterprises, have been urged to shut down. He said the shops and businesses in towns neighbouring the villages will remain closed during the strike period.