Partial reopening of protect site spells trouble for farmers at Tirki border

New Delhi: On November 26, the ongoing farmers' protest will complete one year. The agitators are bracing for next course of action. As of now, over 15,000 protesting farmers at Tikri border have a new challenge to recuperate with, partial opening of the protest site by the local government bodies.

Bizz Buzz spoke with the farmers at the site to know their thoughts on the next phase of the protest and the decision to reopen the road to pave way for ambulance, fire-brigade and other small commercial vehicles to pass by. But farmers have alleged that no consultation was made with the farmers prior to opening the road nor any proper directions have been given to passersby on accessing the route.

60-years-old Shamim Choudhary, farmer from Greater Noida, says that on the night of 28 October, hundreds of security personnel gathered at Tikri protest site for partial clearance of the road. Shamim has alleged that a JCB ran into a tent where she was residing and caused her physical injury.

"At night around 9:30 local police men and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel started clearing road here at the sight for a width of five foot. A JCB ran into the rent where I was residing with four other farmers. Luckily there was no child inside the tent. I have muscle tear in both the feet," Shamim recalled the night.

While farmers say they are in favour of the partial reopening of the blocked roads, the police and local authorities should have conveyed the decision of the same. Harpreet Singh, one of the members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, says that on 26 October, five women were run down by a sand tractor in the wee hours of the day.

"Three women died while two are battling for their lives at the Rohtak hospital. One woman sustained minor injuries after being treated for the same and has now returned to the site. We have not had such problems before. But in the past two and a half months, cases of theft, robbery and accidents have increased here at the protest site," Harpreet said saying an FIR was filed on the same day at a police station of Bahadurgarh.

Harpreet explained that the decision to provide access to the border is welcomed, localities have not been given direction as to which vehicles are allowed to go through the site. He said that protestors will approach local police station to put up sign board on different intersections on the Tikri border road for commuters' convenience.

Upon arriving at the Tikri border, one can see heavy deployment of police and RAF personnel, and barricade at different intersections. Protestors have said that if the government can allow reopening of the border areas for the general public, then security measures and right to protest should also be considered for the farmers.

"The government is allowing locals to access the site for daily commute but why aren't they allowing us to protest? It is our right to make our voices heard. Government's actions and this law will push people to take extreme measures," 62-year-old Ramesh Singh Rana told Bizz Buzz.

Undeterred with the ongoing tension and uncertainty on the farm laws, Ramesh says that the agitation will continue and no immediate plans have been made to intensify the protest. "No such decisions have been conveyed to us to march till the Parliament. But if required, we will go. If the local security personnel try to stifle our peaceful protest, then we wouldn't hesitate in lining up 200-400 tractors here at the border," Ramesh said.