Chakka Jam Protest Ends! Several Detained, Highways Blocked, Delhi Metro Services Hit | 10 Points

Farmer unions had on Monday announced a countrywide 'chakka jam' on February 6 during which they blocked several national and state highways between 12 noon and 3 pm.

New Delhi: Days after the national capital witnessed violence during the Tractor Rally on Republic Day, the farmers protesting against the Central Government’s new farm laws blocked roads at several places, including Punjab and Haryana, called for a nationwide ‘chakka jam’ or road blockade on Saturday.

Farmer unions had on Monday announced a countrywide 'chakka jam' on February 6 during which they blocked several national and state highways between 12 noon and 3 pm to protest the internet ban in areas near their agitation sites, harassment allegedly meted out to them by authorities, and other issues.

Farmers' 'Chakka Jam' | Top 10 Updates

1. Several protesters were detained during the chakka jam movement in Pune and Bengaluru to avoid any untoward incident.

2. Over 50,000 police personnel, paramilitary forces and drone deployed in and around Delhi-NCR in the wake of the ‘chakka jam’. Around 50 people detained near Shaheedi Park in central Delhi for allegedly holding a protest in support of the call.

3. Entry and exit facilities at 10 prominent Delhi Metro stations, including Mandi House, ITO, Delhi Gate and Khan Market, shut down as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, internet services will remain suspended in Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri border and their adjoining areas till 11:59 pm today "in the interest of maintaining public safety and averting public emergency".

4. While announcing end to the proposed Chakka Jam, Bharat Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait gave an ultimatum to Centre to repeal the contentious farm laws. "We have given time to the government till 2nd October to repeal the laws. After this, we will do further planning. We won't hold discussions with the government under pressure," he said.

5. Protesters block roads on the Delhi-Amritsar National Highway in Amritsar, Punjab, as part of 'Chakka Jam' call given by the farmers

6. Meanwhile, farmers protesting against the Centre's new agri laws and other issues blocked roads at several places in Punjab and Haryana on Saturday on the call given by the farmers' unions for a nationwide 'chakka jam'. The Police stepped up security and made all arrangements for traffic diversion, said officials, adding adequate police personnel were deployed in Punjab and Haryana.

7. The protests continue unabated across Karnataka with the farmers from Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Vijayapura, Belagavi, Mysuru and Kalaburagi blocking roads and causing major traffic jams. Some of the protesters were taken into custody but reportedly released later.

8. Farmers in Rajasthan blocked many national and state highways for three hours on Saturday, from 12pm to 3 pm, demanding the withdrawal of three farm laws and protesting against the internet ban near their protest sites and alleged harassment by authorities, among other issues.

9. Even the farmers organisations in Karnataka succeeded in blocking national highways in various parts of Karnataka in general, and Bengaluru in particular. Traffic movement was hit on the Mysuru-Bengaluru highway, while farmers partially succeeded in blocking vehicles across the state, except in the coastal region which is the ruling BJP's stronghold in the state.

10. Extending his support to the chakka jam call by protesting farmers, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi said the peaceful 'satyagraha' of the 'annadatas' is in national interest as the farm laws are "harmful" for the country. "The peaceful satyagraha of annadatas is in national interest -- these three laws are not just harmful for farmers-labourers, but also for the people and the country. Full support!" Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.