Farmers on Saturday brought the curtain down on their historic protests and began their journey home from Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders in Delhi after dismantling their tents and other structures, taking with them a victory to cherish and memories of one of the most successful sieges in the modern history of farmers’ protests along Delhi’s borders.
Because of the large convoy of tractor trolleys and other vehicles, traffic jams were witnessed at many places on Delhi-Haryana national highway and other roads. An aircraft showered flower petals on the farmers as they reached the Shambhu border (Punjab-Haryana border). The aircraft was arranged by a non-resident indian (NRI).
In the midst of packing up and dismantling the protest sites, the farmers danced, performed “ardas” (prayers) and “havan”, and held langar. In videos and photos, farmers were seen dancing, waving green and white flags as they rode tractors and jeeps.
Tractors bedecked with colourful lights rolled out of the protest sites blaring songs of victory while the elderly flaunted their colourful turbans and danced with youngsters.
Till evening, less than a quarter of the protesters were left at the Singhu border. Similarly, at the Ghazipur border, the process of dismantling shelters was in full swing, but the protesting farmers said the site will be completely vacated by December 15 only.
Tractors decorated with flowers and colourful lights and sporting the national flag and farmer bodies’ flags were playing Punjabi victory and patriotic songs while frequent chants of “Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal” rent the air. Tractor trolleys were carrying cots, mattresses, utensils and other belongings that the farmers had carried with them during the agitation.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday, “There is no substitute for patience, courage and unity. Only with brotherhood and unity can the country move forward. This unity of the farmers was their biggest strength. My salute to the strong will and vitality of the farmers who are returning home from today after their historic victory.”
The headquarters of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) at Singhu border wore a deserted look on Saturday as the farmers protesting the farm laws began their journey home following a successful culmination of their year-long sit-in.
The SKM HQ, housed in a godown of tiles along the highway blockaded by the protesting farmers in Haryana’s Kundli, served as a nerve centre for their movement, hosting countless meetings and press conferences. The iron gate of the humble structure where SKM volunteers used to screen visitors was opened in complete silence in the morning, with the farmers busy dismantling their tents and other structures and packing their things up.
Two farmers from Punjab’s Muktsar district were killed when the tractor-trailer was hit by a truck in Haryana’s Hisar while they were returning home from a protest site near the Delhi’s Tikri border. Police said one farmer was seriously injured in the accident at Hisar’s Dhandoor village.
Many locals, including shopkeepers who suffered due to the blocking of roads, were also feeling a sense of relief. Small-time scrap dealers at Singhu border had a field day with a huge quantity of bamboo poles, tarpaulin sheets, plastic and wood pieces, left behind at the protest site.
According to videos posted at social media, people gathered at many places on the Delhi-Karnal-Ambala and Delhi-Hisar national highways as well as other routes, welcoming and honouring the farmers with garlands, ladoos, barfi and other sweets. Villagers and others who supported the farmers’ agitation carrying farmer bodies’ flags showered petals on peasants as they assembled on the roadside of the highways to welcome them.
Youths and women performed Punjab’s folk dance “bhangra” to the beats of “dhol”. At Khanauri near Punjab, villagers burst firecrackers amid a celebratory mood. Preparations to welcome farmers have been made at different toll plazas and other places along the national highways.