Farmers observe fast as protest gains fresh energy under Tikait

Farmers during their ongoing protest at Delhi's Ghazipur border on Saturday.. SNS

PTI, GHAZIABAD / NEW DELHI, 30 JANUARY 21 : Agitating farmer leaders held a day-long fast at various protest sites on Delhi's borders on Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary on Saturday as the fast it against the agri laws appeared to regain momentum after rallying support from the agricultural community of the crucial western Uttar Pradesh region.

More farmers gathered at Gazipur, on the Delhi-Meerut highway, that has now become the new focal point of the stir, while union leaders claimed that protesters were also heading back to Singhu and Tikri borders from Punjab and Haryana, days after the crowds had waned following the violence at the tractor rally on 26 January.

The administration remained on high alert with Internet services temporarily suspended at the Singhu, Gazipur, and Tikri borders of the national capital, aswell as the adjoining areas. Haryana has already suspended the internet in 14 districts.

Security personnel, including from anti-riot police and paramilitary forces, were deployed in strength. Multiple layers ot barricadas were being put at the protest sites.

Wearing garlands, the farmer leaders, who had called for observing 'Sadbhavana Diwas' (Harmony Day) on Saturday after the immense outrage over violence by protesters during their Republic Day tractor rally, sat on the dais during the fast, as crowds of supporters swelled, especially in Gazipur where the Bharatiya Kisan Union is leading the protest.

Addressing the protesters in Gazipur, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait, whose emotional appeal had galvanised farmers from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to flock to the protest site, said they have fought this battle for over two months now, and"they won't relent or retreat". Till now, the agitation was seen as mainly being led by Punjab-based farmer unions.