The farmers at Ghazipur border (UP Gate) observed one day fast to mark their protest against the Centre’s new farm laws. About a dozen farmers, including Rakesh Tikait, national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, led the agitation at the UP Gate and sat on a symbolic fast from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Apart from this, a large number of farmers from other states also went on hunger strike to express their opposition. Meanwhile, the farmers sitting on the dharna at the UP gate also blocked the NH-24 lane coming from Delhi to UP which led to heavy traffic jam for few hours. However, the farmers allowed the students going to take ambulance and examination.
The protestors also raised slogans against agricultural laws and the government. Rakesh Tikait and other farmer leaders who were fasting interfered and defused the situation after which the traffic movement was allowed on Delhi to UP carriage on NH-24.
In support of farmers, various political parties and organizations of the district protested and submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India to the District Magistrate in Ghaziabad.
Activists of Bharatiya Kisan Union, Samajwadi Party, CPIMA Jan Adhikar Party were involved in this demonstration. Apart from this, the National Lok Dal activists fasted in support of the farmers by sitting at the party office at Meerut Road Tiraha. Most of the leaders were kept under house arrest by the police so that the law and order of the city was not disturbed.
District Magistrate Dr Ajay Shankar Pandey said that the demonstration of farmers and political parties in the city was peaceful and no untoward incident has been reported in the district. He said that no person will be allowed to take law in his hands.