Dilli Chalo: As tractor convoys gather, Punjab farmers say barricades no big deal

Dilli Chalo: As tractor convoys gather, Punjab farmers say barricades no big deal

In a significant development on Monday, over 100 tractor-trolleys, coordinated by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), gathered in the Fatehgarh Sahib districtby 3 pm. Strategically parked in the service lane to facilitate smooth commuting, farmers actively engaged in preparing langar on the roadside, complete with LPG cylinders. Reflecting the traditional camaraderie, villagers from Nabipura and Saidpura stepped forward to organize night langar in support of the protesting farmers. The convoy, strategically positioned near Hansali Gurdwara Sahib, approximately 50 km from Shambhu Barrier, was patiently awaiting the outcome of a crucial meeting in Chandigarh before embarking on its march in the morning.

As The Indian Express remained at the site until late evening, the convoy continued to grow. Gurmeet Singh of Masteke village in Ferozepur said, “Ferozepur alone had sent over 100 tractor-trolleys. More farmers are coming from across the state to join us.”

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Close to the Shambu Barrier, where the Haryana government has been setting up barriers for the last 5 days, many farmers from border villages of Punjab are moving just to oversee the barricading. When asked why he had come, a frail-looking Randhir Singh of Sanjarpur village in the Rajpura constituency of Patiala district said, “Just to see what all equipment is needed tomorrow to remove these barricades. Our boys can drive combines, heavy machines, tractors, so we will manage. It is not an issue at all.”

Kuldeep Singh of Takhtumajra village in Rajpura expressed concern, stating, “They themselves are creating a wall with us as if we are terrorists and not even part of this country. So what message are they sending to farmers? As of now, only a few unions are part of this protest, but if the situation worsens, all farmers will join hands like before.” Sardara Singh of Ferozepur district added, “Most of us in the convoy are from border districts Ferozepur, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Taran Taran; hence, we are used to tough conditions.”

Sanjarpur village of Punjab is close to the Shambu barrier, where many vehicles are passing through towards a kutcha way that leads to Ambala. Villagers were acting as traffic cops and were guiding commuters to move ahead. Surjit Singh (75) of this village said, “I have been in Delhi morcha earlier as well. If need arises, will go again. Don’t go by my age. I have driven combines in Madhya Pradesh and can even drive one today as well.”

Gurmeet Singh, a farmer with 35 acres of farmland, claimed, “We have studied the nature of barricading. That’s okay with us. We can manage. Our brothers have fine agriculture equipment which will be used to remove it in some time. Few boulders we can throw by hands alone.”

Harjit Singh, another farmer of this village, expressed his frustration, saying, “Lots of people are being harassed by the Haryana government by blocking the road. All we wanted was to seek a place in Delhi to protest. We never wanted to protest in Haryana. However, Haryana brothers are with us only. No matter they are imposing many restrictions on them.” Langar preparation in this village was about to start when the Express team visited it.

About 2 km away in village Gadapur, a group of villagers was busy cutting aloo-gobhi in the village gurdwara. Former sarpanch Bawa Singh said, “Aloo-gobhi and parshada (roti) will be made for morning and will be served to villagers going to the Shambu border at 7 am and also to the convoy which will reach here in the morning. Though Haryana cops are barricading the borders, we will serve langar to them as well.”

Jashan Singh, while peeling potatoes, said, “Vegetables will be peeled today, and langar will be cooked at 3 am on Tuesday. Women of the village will come to make rotis, and at 7 am, we will reach on the highway with langar.”

Many women were also coming to the Shambu Barrier to see the barricades along with their family members. They refused to divulge their identity but were from Rajgarh village. And confidently said, “We can lead from the front as well and even cook langar for our farmer brothers. I have seen the barricading, I am confident that they can remove this if need arises.” Meanwhile, convoys have also been parked near Khanauri border in Sangrur, Dabwali border in Bathinda, and Ratia border in Budhlada.

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