29 Delhi & Haryana villages hold mahapanchayat in Sonipat, demand opening of Singhu border

ROHTAK/BATHINDA: Hemmed in by the ongoing farmers’ protest against the three central agri-marketing laws for almost seven months now, residents of 17 villages in Haryana and 12 in Delhi on Sunday held a mahapanchayat at Sersa village of Sonipat district to discuss the issue of their bad commute with the Union and state governments. Farmers have been protesting at the Delhi borders and the roads leading to the three main protest sites — Singhu, Tikri and Ghaziabad — have been heavily barricaded to fortify the national capital. These villagers are demanding that the barricades be removed and at least one side of the road leading to the Singhu border be opened.
Ramphal Saroha, who presided over the mahapanchayat, said the issue was discussed in the meeting and it was decided that a delegation would meet the central and the state governments to present their demand of clearing one side of the road at the Singhu border. “If governments don’t take a decision regarding the demands of the villagers within 10 days, then we will hold another mahapanchayat, bigger than this, in Delhi,” he said. “We demand that the governments ensure free movement on one side of the road so that residents face no difficulty with day-to-day activities. A delegation would soon meet the Union home minister and state chief minister in this regard,” he added.
However, he clarified that they did not have any grudge against the protesting farmers and the issue was more to do with their livelihood. “Due to the blockade at Singhu border, we have lost Delhi connectivity and it has cost us dearly. Also, the presence of a large number of people from outside has made it difficult for women to move around,” he said.
Saroha explained that they had taken up the issue with the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) earlier, but to no avail. Even the SKM has been claiming immense support from the locals. It has also alleged malicious propaganda in the June 17 incident of suicide at the Tikri border and demanded a fair probe.
‘SKM backing Chhattisgarh adivasis’
It has decided to continue peaceful protests against BJP-JJP leaders in Haryana and oppose their entry into 1,100 villages on June 21, when the government plans to observe International Yoga Day. It has also decided to organise a race dedicated to the late Milkha Singh at the Tikri border.
The farm outfit has extended its full support to the adivasis of Selegaar village on the border of Sukma and Bijapur districts in Chhattisgarh, who are fighting against the government decision to set up a CRPF camp in the area. The SKM has stated that this land, which comes under Schedule V of the Constitution, is being taken over without any referral/decision of the gram sabhas. On May 17, four protesting adivasis had died in police firing, while 18 others were injured and 10 are still missing, it said.
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