Rail and road transportation services are likely to be affected and markets may remain closed in several parts of the country on Friday as farmer unions protesting against the three farm laws have called Bharat Bandh’.
Unlike the previous bandhs, chakka jams, this is going to be a complete bandh to be observed from 6am to 6pm. The umbrella body of the protesting farmers’ union, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, (SKM) has appealed to the citizens across the country to make the bandh a success.
Farmers across the nation have been protesting since last year against the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, which were passed by Parliament in September.
This is the second nation-wide strike announced by the farmers. The first ‘bandh’ took place on December 8 which was witnessed in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Assam. It received support from several trade unions, various other organisations as well as 24 opposition parties, including the Congress and the NCP.
“In order to make Bharat Bandh successful, all District President, the Block President / Tehsil President and top officials should coordinate to ensure that the bandh is made successful,” the Bhartiya Kisan Morcha said in Tweet.
In a meeting held earlier this month to outline their protest plans, the unions also said the rallies and protests against the corporates will intensify.
During the strike, from 6 am to 6 pm, all business establishments will be closed and no road and rail traffic will be allowed to ply, the farmers’ unions announced.
