Farmer organizations called Bharat Bandh; Impact will be visible in Punjab, security increased in Delhi-NCR

Organisations representing farmers have called for a Bharat Bandh on February 16. Farmers are demonstrating once more, this time for a guarantee of MSP and eleven additional demands. A Bharat Bandh has been announced by farmer organisations today, February 16, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., to exert pressure on the Centre regarding their demands.

The call for a Bharat Bandh coincided with farmer protests known as Delhi Chalo. The farmers' demonstration is causing delays in rail traffic. On the route between Ludhiana, Sahnewal, and Chandigarh, about six trains have been rerouted. During the strike, it is anticipated that private offices, village shops, transportation, agricultural operations, rural works and institutions related to the rural industrial and service sector will be closed.

Amidst Bharat Bandh, the Taxi and Auto Union in Jalandhar, Punjab has also announced traffic closure on 16th February. He said that he is also supporting the farmer's movement. The impact of this bandh will be less in the capital Delhi, because 700 markets and industrial factories will remain open here. At the same time, the impact of this movement will be more visible in Punjab. In the presence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the meeting between farmer organizations and central government ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Nityanand continued till 1:30 am at the Magsipa complex located in Chandigarh Sector-26. After this meeting, farmer leaders told the media that the discussion was satisfactory. However, he has also condemned the use of force on farmers.

The administration of Delhi-NCR is very alert regarding this bandh. Given this bandh, Section 144 has been imposed in Noida. Security has been increased on the border. The impact of this bandh is likely to be more visible in rural areas.