Union leaders will urge UK MPs to ask Boris Johnson not to attend R-day function
Another hope of bringing an end to the stand-off between farmers and the Government ended on Tuesday after the protesting farmers on Tuesday said a decision on the Central Government’s offer for fresh talks has been deferred to Wednesday, even as they remained adamant on their demand to repeal the three farm laws.
Besides, two other important developments of the day included a statement by farmers in which they said they would write to Britain MPs, urging them to press their Prime Minister Boris Johnson not to attend India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26 and emphasised on their earlier decisions to boycott all products of Adani and Ambani.
“We all farmers have also decided to throw away all the towers installed by corporate houses such as Ambani in our fields. Following the protest, the farmers union have also wrote a letter to MP of Britain urging to stop British Prime Minister to visit India on Republic Day,” said Kulwant Singh Sandhu, farmers’ leader.
The farmers protesting at Ghazipur border on Tuesday morning blocked both carriageways of National Highway-24 alleging some farmers coming from western UP were blocked by authorities on way to the protest site.
Addressing a Press conference, farmers said all toll tax in Haryana will be freed on December 25-26.
Prem Singh, another farmer leader, said there is propaganda by the BJP led Centre Government against protesting farmers. “We are responding to every call of the Government and we will soon draft a reply to the Government and to meet the Government, we will decide on December 23 in a meeting of farmers’ leaders,” said Singh.
Harinder Singh, another farmer leader, said, “The protest is getting bigger day by day and several farmers from Punjab, Haryana and other states have joined us. We want the Government to repeal these laws.”
“We have also decided to organise a webinar on December 24 at 12 pm through Zoom and during that a five member of farmers union will answer all questions to the viewers,” said Omkar Singh of Bharatiya Kisan Union.
“We also invite Kangana Ranaut and Mukesh Kumar and all who are opposing us to join the webinar and we will answer their question,” said Baljit, head of IT cell, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha.
Meanwhile, farmers at Ghazipur border closed the NH-24, prompting police to issue advisory to commuters and diverting traffic.
“Gazipur border is also closed for traffic from Delhi to Gaziabad. It was already closed for traffic from Gaziabad to Delhi. Traffic has been diverted from Nizammudin Khattha, Akshardham & Gazipur chowk. Pl go via Anand Vihar, Apsara, Bhopra & DND borders,” tweeted Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Delhi’s Outer range.
The Delhi Traffic Police also informed commuters regarding routes closed and alternative routes.
Police said the Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, and Mangesh borders are closed. “It advised commuters to take alternative routes through the Lampur, Safiabad Saboli and Singhu school toll tax borders,” said police.
Police said as traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and the GTK road, people are suggested to avoid Outer Ring Road, the GTK road and National Highway (NH) 44.
Those travelling to Haryana can go through the Jharoda (only single carriageway), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH-8, Bijwasan-Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera borders, it said.
According to the traffic police, Tikri and Dhansa borders are also closed for traffic but the Jhatikara border was open only for two-wheelers and pedestrians.
At the Chilla border, the Delhi to Noida carriageway is open for traffic. The Noida to Delhi carriageway is, however, closed, it said.
The sixth round of talks on December 9 was cancelled following a deadlock with the farmer unions refusing to budge from their demand for repealing the three laws.
