HM tells states to keep peace
Bharat Bandh today; protesters told to adhere to Covid-19 protocols
In view of Tuesday’s Bharat Bandh by various farmer unions, the home ministry is closely co-ordinating with all States and Union Territories to ensure that law and order is maintained. In a countrywide advisory, it said states and UT administrations must ensure that the Covid-19 guidelines issued with regard to health and social distancing are strictly followed.
The farmers have been camping along Delhi’s borders in large numbers for more than 10 days now.
With massive protests at Delhi’s borders continuing for the last 12 days, the protesting farmers at the Singhu border urged peace, and clarified that no shops or establishments will be forcibly closed on account of the bandh. “There will be a complete ‘Bharat Bandh’ till 3 pm on Tuesday, but emergency services will be allowed,” farmers’ leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said. Bharatiya Kisan Union spokesman Rakesh Tikait said that “tomorrow’s
Bharat Bandh is from 11 am to 3 pm. It is a symbolic protest. We will begin at 11 am so everyone can reach office on time… Services such as ambulances, even weddings, can go on. People can show their card and leave”.
Home ministry officials said they were in constant touch with their counterparts in different states to ensure that the strike remains largely peaceful and any kind of violence can be avoided. They added that adequate personnel from central paramilitary force have also been deployed so that these can be rushed at a short notice in case of an eventuality.
“All necessary arrangements have been out in place and we feel that the strike call will remain peaceful. The situation is being constantly monitored and all states have also been asked to make all necessary law and order arrangements,” a senior Ministry official added.
Sources claimed that farmers were likely to further intensify their agitation in case the issue is not resolved at the earliest.