Protesting Khaps, farmers block Rohtak-Delhi NH in Haryana's Bahadurgarh

Activists from various Khaps (clan-based social organisations) and farmers staged a protest by blocking the Rohtak-Delhi national highway in Jhajjar district of Haryana on Wednesday (June 14).

The protest was in response to a Haryana Bandh (statewide shutdown) call, expressing solidarity with protesting wrestlers, farmers, and addressing other related issues.

#WATCH | Rohtak-Villagers supported by Khap panchayats block the Delhi-Rohtak highway, demanding the arrest of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations pic.twitter.com/uuelFeJiRK

— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2023

Ramesh Dalal, a senior leader of the Bhumi Bachao Sangharsh Samiti outfit, led the protesters who squatted on NH-9 in Bahadurgarh and imposed a blockade.

Vehicles were seen stranded on the road as a result of this.

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Jhajjar Superintendent of Police Arpit Jain told PTI that they were trying to persuade the protesters to lift the blockade.

Dalal told reporters at the site that as part of his outfits Haryana Bandh call, 25 demands had been raised, including justice for wrestlers protesting against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, loan waiver for farmers, legal guarantee of crop MSP and enhanced compensation for land.

Meanwhile, in most parts of Haryana, the call for the strike failed to evoke any response and life remained normal.

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In Bahadurgarh and adjoining Rohtak, there was an additional deployment of police.

A few days ago, a meeting had been convened by some Khaps backed by farmer outfits at the Mandothi toll plaza in Jhajjar where the strike call was given in support of the demands.

The Bhumi Bachao Sangharsh Samiti is an outfit fighting for the land rights of farmers.

(With agency inputs)