Chakka jam evokes mixed response across state
The road blockade call was given in support of the ongoing farmers’ protest against the three newly enacted farm laws
RANCHI: The three-hour long “chakka jam” agitation called by Samyukt Kisan Morcha and supported by Left parties, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress trade unions and various social organisations evoked a mixed response and passed off peacefully across the state on Saturday.
The road blockade call was given in support of the ongoing farmers’ protest opposing the three farm laws enacted by the central government.
In most parts of the state, heavy vehicles and cars remained off roads from 12 noon to 3pm. Those venturing out got stuck on roads, as protestors blocked entry points of national and state highways.
In state capital Ranchi, protestors blocked National Highway (NH)-33 in Booty More and Bundu and Ranchi-Khunti state highway near Tupudana chowk.
Agriculture minister Badal Patralekh, JMM leaders Supriyo Bhattacharya and Mahua Maji, along with Left, Congress and JMM supporters staged protest demonstrations near Booty More.
The Left parties blocked roads at Bundu and Tupudana. Several trade union leaders and leaders of social organisations also took part in the road blockade that went peacefully amid strict security.
According to reports, protestors blocked entry points at eight places--NH-18, NH-19, NH-20, NH-22, NH-23, NH-33, NH-39, NH-43 and NH-49.
CPI state secretary Bhubaneswar Prasad Mehta led the protest at Barhi, while CPI(ML) state secretary was out on the road in Ranchi. Party leader Binod Singh led a rally in Bagodar.
Road blockades were reported from Godda, Dumka, Deoghar, Jamtara, Rajmahal, Pakur districts as well.
According to state Congress state president Rameshwar Oraon, the Centre should think about as to why farmers were on agitation, protesting against the farm laws if the laws were really beneficial.
In Dhanbad, the agitation paralysed road traffic movement on NH-32 at Randhir Verma Chowk. However, the agitation was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported. Heavy police force was deployed at major points to tackle the situation.
The agitation supporters took out the rally from different places and assembled at Randhir Verma Chowk, where they blocked the traffic. CPI(M) state secretary GK Bakshi reached the spot leading a procession, while JMM district president Ramesh Tudu took out a rally from Zila Parishad ground. RJD leaders were also present at the spot.
Meanwhile, there was little to no impact on GT Road from Maithon (West Bengal border) to Topchachi and on Dhanbad- Giridih border.
Though leaders of various political parties blocked GT Road at Kishan Chowk and at Govindpur bazaar, protestors returned soon after.
In Jam shed p ur, Congress-led opposition parties on Saturday blocked NH-33 for about three hours at Mango-Dimna chowk, leaving a trail of stranded vehicles. Hundreds of Congress workers, led by its Mango in-charge Manoj Jha, blocked Baheragoara-Tata-Ranchi stretch of NH-33 from 12pm to 3pm. “We fully support farmers’ demand of repealing the three new farm laws and our party will support their movement till the laws are withdrawn,” said Jha.
In Latehar, hundreds of grand alliance groups led by the district Congress committee blocked NH-75 at district headquarters. They expressed solidarity with farmers’ protest and pressed for revoking the laws.
Congress leader Muneshwar Oraon said, “These agriculture bills will crush farmers across the country. The farmers are out on streets despite the chilling cold but the government is not acting. We demand immediate revoking of these laws.
Later, the blockade was lifted after local officials reached and assured to communicate their demands to higher authorities.