The Farmers Union in Haryana announced on Thursday that they have decided to keep the state toll-free for three hours on February 16 and will continue to allow vehicles to pass on highways without paying toll fees. The announcement follows the nationwide strike called by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Punjab chapter) and the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU). Gurnam Chaudhary provided further details, stating that the Haryana Kisan Union (Chaudhary faction) has made three key decisions amid the ongoing farmers’ agitation.
Firstly, a toll-free period in Haryana will be observed for three hours, from 12 pm to 3 pm across the state on Friday. Secondly, a tractor parade in every Tehsil is scheduled for February 17, starting from 12 pm. Lastly, on February 18, a joint meeting of all farmer unions and labor organizations is set to take place to make final decisions regarding the matter. It was also mentioned that representatives of Khap-Panchayats have been invited to the meeting as they play a key role in the social structure across the country.
In a statement issued to the press, Nathwan said that brutality against farmers has been ongoing for the last three days, and the government’s handling of the situation is not appropriate. The use of lathi charges, tear gas, barricading, and internet bans against protesting farmers is condemnable. In light of the disrespectful behavior of the state and central governments towards farmers, the organization has decided that all tolls in Haryana will be made free from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm on February 16. If the government does not cease these barbaric acts and arrests farmer leaders, then the entire state of Haryana will be made free. Furthermore, the state committee has decided that if the Sukta Kisan Morcha, under whose leadership the Delhi movement succeeded, calls for a march to Delhi, then the Jatta Kisan Sangharsh Samiti from all over Haryana will march towards Delhi with thousands of tractor trolleys, regardless of the outcome.
Similarly, the Haryana Roadways Sanjha Morcha has decided to call for a road jam in the state on February 16. A signature campaign was conducted across the state on Wednesday to prepare for the strike, during which all drivers, conductors, clerical, and workshop colleagues signed and appealed to participate in the strike. The leaders of the Morcha claim that employees have assured them of complete road blockage on February 16.