MP Farmers to Block All National and State Highways at Nearly100 Points for Chakka Jam on Feb 6

Bhopal: All seven national highways as well as the East-West and North-South corridors criss-crossing Madhya Pradesh are set to be blocked from 11 AM to 3 PM on Saturday (February 6) in support of the nationwide chakka jam (traffic stoppage) called by the farmers’ unions in protest against the three draconian farm laws.

In addition to the farm laws, the farmers’ unions are also protesting against the internet ban by the Centre at the protest sites. They are also protesting the government’s neglect of the farmers’ demands in the Union Budget 2021.

The farmers’ organisations in the state, under the banner of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), have also planned to block the key state highways along with the national highways.

Meanwhile, the ongoing farmers’ agitation at the borders of the national capital – including Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur have crossed 73 days, with more farmers pouring into the protest sites, even as the government continues to increase reinforcements to pressure the farmers.

On February 6, the farmers from the Gwalior-Chambal regionhave planned to block the national highway connecting Madhya Pradesh to Delhi; in Seoni, the farmers have planned to block the North-South corridor which connects the states with Maharashtra. While in Barwani, the farmers have planned to block NH-3.

“Just like the national highways, we have also planned to block major state highways in our respective districts,” said Badal Saroj of the All India Kisan Sabha and state convenor of AIKSCC, adding, “The idea is to register our disappointment over the farm laws peacefully.”

Shivkumar ‘Kakka je’ of the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdur Mahasangh (RKMM) claimed that they are not revealing the exact location of road blockade fearing police attempts to suppress the movemet. “But, we have planned to block all key roads including all national, state and other roads between 12 AM to 3 PM in our respective districts,” he added.

The Opposition Congress has also extended its support to the chakka jam after the farmers’ unions announced it on February 2. “I request all our workers to support farmers on Chakka Jam on February 6,” tweeted former CM Digvijay Singh.   

While Ramswarup Mantri, AIKSCC incharge of Malwa Nimar region, claimed that the region is likely to have a huge impact of Chakka Jam because the region is heavily dependent on agriculture.

The convenor of Jagrut Kisan Sangathan, Irfan Jaffri, claimed that the farmers have planned to block the roads at nearly 150 places across the state.

When contacted, DIG Intelligence Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Ashsis said, “General alerts have been issued to all the district collectors and SPs to keep an eye on the movement.”