Bhubaneswar: As talks with the Government regarding the three farm reform laws proved to be ‘inconclusive’, the farmers’ organisations have now intensified the agitation and taken over the toll plazas across the country as part of their ongoing protest.
The farmers have conquered almost all the toll plazas in the country today, as decided by the Bharatiya Kisan Union.
The scenes in Odisha are no different. Akhil Bharatiya Krushak Mahasangh has extended support to the protesting farmers.
This morning, members of the Krushak Morcha staged a protest at Pipili toll gate in Puri in support of the farmers opposing the newly enacted farm laws. They have also demanded exemption of toll tax for all vehicles passing through the plaza. The Krushak Sangathan has said they will gherao office of Collectors and Sub-Collectors in all districts on the 14th.
Several farmers overpowered the staff at toll plazas on Chandigarh-Delhi highway and allowed toll-free movement of vehicles, sources said.
Similar is the situation in Haryana. Farmers closed Bastara toll plaza in Karnal and Shambhu toll plaza in Ambala late last night as part of their agitation against the three Farm Laws by Centre.
Toll plaza in-charge Ravi Tiwari said, "This toll has been free since 12 AM last night. Some farmers had come and it has been done for their agitation. We haven't received any order yet as to how long this will continue but farmers are saying that this will remain free till 12 AM tonight."
As per the plans, protests will intensify in the coming days. On December 14, all district magistrates across the country would be handed over memorandums by the farmer unions to be forwarded to PM Narendra Modi to seek repeal of the three new farm laws.
Moreover, the protesting farmers will hold ‘Kisan Kranti March’ at 11 AM daily to lodge their protests until the Centre agrees to their demands and repeals the three laws.
Though there are expectations of a productive response from the Centre, if in case demands are not met, farmer leaders threatened that they will take part in the Republic Day Parade in Delhi next month.
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