- Farmers suspect BJP’s hand in inciting violent clashes at Singhu border
- Khap Panchayats set up internal security system to guard their farmer brethren
- MLA Sangwan withdraws support BJP-JJP alliance over anti-farmer laws
TAD NewsDesk, New Delhi: Amidst clashes between protesting farmers and supporters of the farm laws, Khap Panchayats of Haryana declared that they will commit to protecting farmers at the capital’s borders. Suspicious of “political agents”, “infiltrators” and other anti-social elements who could that incite violence, farmers have set up an “internal security” system.
On receiving support from the farmers at Singhu and Tikri border, Khap leaders arrived along with a large fleet of vehicles on January 31.
“Nobody can dare to target our kisan brothers who are staging dharnas peacefully. All of Haryana and Delhi stands by you,” senior khap leader Sombir Sangwan announced at Singhu.
Alleging that the violent “anti-farmer” protesting groups had gathered on the call of local BJP leaders, BKU leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni gave a “warning” to the government, “I want to warn this government that they should leave this gundagardi (hooliganism). An FIR should be filed against those who are coming here and doing danga (riots)”.
Elaborating on the security system set up by the farmers for their own safety post the Singh border violence, Rupinder Singh, President of Naujawan Bharat Sabha said, “We have created a security room near the main stage, 10 people are present there at all times. We are also monitoring the situation on the ground through volunteers. Fewer people are being allowed near the stage after increased checks. Youth wings of unions have been told to guard their trolleys and remain on standby in case there is a situation to control. We will not let BJP and RSS break our protest since it was them who sent people to attack us.”
On January 29, a violent group of 200 men overcame three layers of security barricades and damaged tents and shelters where farmers were residing. Although the group claims that they had taken to violence as they were agitated with the farmers’ protest for affecting their livelihood, farmers believe that the miscreants were called by the government to disrupt protests.
Speaking to the Indian Express, Jitender Deshwal from Jhajjar district said, “We came on January 26 for the parade but went back the same day. Now we are coming to stay.” Pradeep Deshwal, who was accompanying him, said, “We have been part of the protest for three months. To support the movement, we have 100-150 tractors with us. We are against the BJP-driven conspiracy to defame the movement on Republic Day.”
Suresh further added, “We will only go back when they repeal the three laws. The farmers did not do any propaganda or violence. I was part of the parade and I was only able to go up to Peeragarhi.”
In light of the farmers’ agitation, independent MLA from Charkhi Dadri constituency, Sombir Sangwan, withdrew support from the BJP-JJP government and resigned as Chairman of the Haryana Livestock Development Board two months ago.
Further, Sangwan claims “paid workers” were sent to Singhu to break up the protest saying, “10,000 youths from Haryana will be on standby, who will reach any spot if needed in an hour. We have asked khaps in the surrounding areas of Delhi to keep an eye out for paid workers. It is our responsibility to provide security to farmers.”
In the footsteps of Sangwan, Balwan Singh Daulatpuria, former INLD MLA from Fatehabad who had joined BJP just before 2018 Assembly polls, also followed suit. Demanding the repeal of the three farms laws while extending support to farmer, he said, “They told me I won’t be allowed to remain in the BJP. I accepted their decision as I preferred the support of my brothers from the village and farmers.”
Meanwhile, villages and several khaps have given a call to boycott BJP-JJP leaders and declared that the leaders of the ruling alliance won’t be allowed to enter villages until the government backs down. Moreover, funds are being collected from villagers to fuel the farmers’ struggle for a longer period. Regardless of Haryana government’s decision to suspend mobile internet services, the farmers’ spirit is undeterred and thousands of farmers continued to gather at the dharna sites.
Source – Indian Express
