Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 8: Even as the call for Bharat Bandh evoked a mixed response in Jammu and Kashmir with most of public transport staying off roads but maximum shops and business establishments remained open, various organisations, including transporters, held peaceful protests here today to express solidarity with agitating farmers who are demanding repeal of the new agri-marketing laws passed by the Central Government.
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Responding to the call, all the major fruit mandis in Kashmir division remained closed for the day while several organizations registered their protest demanding rollback of the laws.
Reports said that Fruit Market Complex Parimpora, Srinagar, Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, Chrar-e-Sharief, Anantnag, Handwara along with other mandis remained closed for all sorts of business in support of the strike call.
In Jammu, the main protest rally was taken out by J&K Transport Welfare Association (JKTWA) from Bikram Chowk to Digiana, blocking the Jammu-Pathankote highway. Holding banners and placards in support of the farmers, they were raising slogans against the Modi Government.
Leading the protest march, JKTWA chairman T S Wazir said: “If there is a need, we are ready to join the farmers in Delhi.” At Digiana, the protest rally was joined by some women, who blocked the highway by organizing Kirtan on the road.
Led by former minister Raman Bhalla, Congress activists held a protest rally at Shaheedi Chowk Jammu, to protest against the anti famers legislations. The Congress workers, amidst raising slogans in support of farmer’s agitation, assembled at PCC HQ Jammu and started protest march towards Press Club. They were, however, stopped by policemen, who did not allow them to move ahead.
The OBC Wing of Pradesh Congress Committee also held a protest demonstration for repeal of new farmers laws. The protest was led by Advocate Suresh Kumar Dogra, Chairman of the wing.
Reports from Srinagar said that senior Congress leaders and workers, in a function organized at Srinagar Party Office, expressed solidarity with the agitating farmers and extended full support to Bharat Bandh call, The gathering was addressed by Bashir Ahmad Magrey, Surinder Singh Channi, Adul Gani Khan, Mohd Sultan
In support of agitating farmers and their call for Bharat Bandh, a protest demonstration was held near Exhibition Ground at Jammu by the Farmers Community of Jammu under the leadership of Rajesh Pargotra, Provincial President of JKNPP Jammu.
Cadre of All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC Organisations/DOM/NSYF held a protest at Ambedkar Chowk, Jammu under the leadership of R K Kalsotra, to show support to the farmers.
In solidarity with the farmers, J&K Kissan Tehreek members held demonstration near Press Colony Srinagar and other areas of J&K. The protest demonstration was led by General Secretary Kisan Tehreek, Ghulam Nabi Malik.
Activists of Shiv Sena Bala Saheb Thackeray, led by J&K unit president Manish Sahni, took out a rally from the party office to the Civil Secretariat and appealed public to support the farmers.
In support of the agitating farmers, Kissan Union Kathua held a protest demonstration at Kathua and blocked the Jammu-Pathankot National highway at Raj Bagh.
In Udhampur, senior Congress leader Sumeet Magotra led a protest march to support Bharat Bandh call by the farmers and asked the Government to repeal the new laws.
Similar protest demonstrations in support of farmers were also reported from some other parts of J&K.
Aam Aadmi Party Observer for Jammu Province, Ankush Narang and NCP Young Wing spokesperson Rishi Kaul Kilam announced active support to the agitating farmers.
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