Chennai: A week into the massive protests by farmers at the National capital, yet another round of talks with the government is scheduled for today.
With all eyes on today’s meet, the farm leaders are demanding for a special session of Parliament to repeal the newly enacted farms laws, which they say will adversely impact the minimum support price system (MSP) that offers cultivators assured prices from the government. They also warned of intensifying their agitation.
In a show of support to the protestors, an apex body of transporters threatened to halt the movement of essential goods across North India and subsequently the entire country, if the demands of the farmers, are not met.
The All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), an umbrella body of goods’ vehicles operators, called for a strike from 8 December in support.
‘From 8 December onwards, we will shut all our operations across North India and stop all our vehicles across North Indian states and UTs [Union Territories] including Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal, and Jammu. We have decided that if the government still does not agree to the demands of the protesting farmers, then we will call for a Chakka Jam all across India and stop all our vehicles’, said AIMTC president Kultaran Singh Atwal.
It may be noted that the agitation has resulted in the blockage of various roads, with about five border points connecting Delhi with Gurgaon and others, being closed, with the Noida Traffic Police advising commuters travelling to Delhi to avoid using the Chilla route and instead take the DND or Kalindi Kunj route.
The blockade has hit supply of fruits and vegetables to Delhi from Haryana, Punjab and States further North, it is said.