Farmers again block Delhi-Noida Chilla border, demand complete repeal of farm laws
16-December-2020

Farmers have once again blocked the Delhi-Noida Chilla border to press for their demand to repeal the three farm laws. The road has been closed due to a sit-in demonstration by some farmers, according to reports.

Farmers had on Sunday vacated carriageways on the Noida-Delhi Link Road via Chilla following a meeting with Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Narendra Singh Tomar. Normal traffic resumed between Noida and Delhi via Chilla border after farmers vacated the spot they had been occupying since December 1 for their sit-in demonstration.

Meanwhile, the movement on the DND and the Kalindi Kunj routes, both connecting Delhi and Noida, was normal.

The Chiila road in the east Delhi is a key road that connects the national capital with Noida in Uttar Pradesh. The traffic here was obstructed since December 1 due to the farmers' protest.

Meanwhile, farmers have hardened their stance on the three new agri laws with their leaders saying that they will "make" government repeal these legislations. They asserted that their fight has reached a stage where they are "determined" to win it no matter what.

Thousands of farmers are currently staying put at Delhi's borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in protest against the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. They have expressed apprehension that these laws would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporations.

However, the government has maintained that the new laws will bring farmers better opportunities and usher in new technologies in agriculture. Meanwhile, government officials told PTI that efforts are being made for the next round of talks between representatives of the Centre and the farmers so that the logjam over the new laws could end.