Farmers in India embark on nationwide strike; Block-off major roads | READ DETAILS
chuks oti
Dec 08, 2020
In eastern and western states, Indian farmers have blocked roads and railway tracks, delaying people from getting to work and preventing perishable produce from reaching markets.
READ ALSO: Mother's Day: Abia Government Liaison Officer Honours Women, Says Mothers Shape Future Leaders
The impact of the strike, which is supported by several opposition parties, was most evident in the northern states of Punjab and Haryana where markets and petrol pumps remained closed in most towns.
READ ALSO: How a Catholic Priest Slumped and Died While Delivering Homily in Delta Church
"We will not allow the government to change the rules because they want to hurt farmers' income by filling the pockets of big companies,ÔÇØ said Gurwinder Singh, a 66-year-old farmer from Punjab, a state known as the food bowl of India.
READ ALSO: Passengers Confused As Flight Lands In Asaba Instead Of Abuja | READ MORE
Rallies by farmers' groups, left and regional political parties continued in several cities including Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
READ ALSO: Ofuji Ndị Igbo Sets 2026 Agenda, Promises Greater Community Engagement
The farmers called for the strike on Tuesday after inconclusive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
READ ALSO: DETAILED: How Borno Governor Zulum Escaped Death During Boko Harma Attack
The farmers are demanding a rollback of three laws relating to the farming sector that were passed by parliament in September.
Hundreds of thousands of protesting farmers have been parked for 12 days now on the borders of Delhi after police stopped them from entering the capital.
READ ALSO: How Dangote Lost $2.5bn In One Month - Bloomberg reports
Main highways into the city were blocked by the farmers allowing only the passage of ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
READ ALSO: Strange Disease Kills 'Thousands' of fishes in Taraba
India's government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) says the new laws are aimed at freeing farmers from antiquated marketing systems and middlemen and will fetch them better prices.
READ ALSO: "Ikwuano Locked Down For Alex OttiÔÇØ - Monday Ubani SAN Sends Strong Message To Opposition
The farmers say the laws will benefit big corporations and dismantle a procurement system that guarantees them minimum prices for their produce and protects them from the vagaries of the market.
Several rounds of talks between farmers' leaders and the government have not yet seen a breakthrough. The next round of talks is scheduled for New Delhi on Wednesday.
READ ALSO: Bloodbath At Wedding: Bandits Kill 13, Abduct Many In Midnight Attack In Kaduna Community
(dpa/NAN)
Related Stories
Bloodbath At Wedding: Bandits Kill 13, Abduct Many In Midnight Attack In Kaduna Community
"Ikwuano Locked Down For Alex OttiÔÇØ - Monday Ubani SAN Sends Strong Message To Opposition
Mother's Day: Abia Government Liaison Officer Honours Women, Says Mothers Shape Future Leaders
Why ICPC Is Prosecuting Mike Ozekhome Over a London Property Deal That Has Shaken Nigeria's Legal Circle | READ DETAILS
Ofuji Ndị Igbo Sets 2026 Agenda, Promises Greater Community Engagement
How a Catholic Priest Slumped and Died While Delivering Homily in Delta Church
""
— chuks oti