Farmers protest: Singhu traders and shopkeepers brace for tough times

Traders and shopkeepers at Delhi’s Singhu border are once again facing tough times as a fresh wave of protests threatens their businesses after massive farmers’ agitation took a heavy toll on them more than two years ago.

This time it’s the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march of farmers from Punjab, which began on Tuesday with thousands of people on trucks, tractor-trolleys and on foot.

While the marches are currently contained at the Punjab-Haryana border, multi-layered barricades and fortifications of concrete blocks at Singhu, along with heavy deployment of police personnel preventing them from entering the city, have also restricted those moving across the border.

Shops were closing as early as 2pm as various restrictions were imposed, including on transportation, making it difficult even for locals to commute.

“Our employees are unable to go to work. We have been closed for the past two days, resulting in a daily loss of Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000,” said Nikesh, manager of Cost to Cost mall.

He claimed, “The rent of the building we operate is around Rs 20,000 per day” and asked, “Who will compensate us for the losses? The government or the farmers?” Only a few smaller shops are operating in the local market, but due to fewer customers and early closures, these stores are also facing losses.

“My store has suffered a loss of 95% since the restrictions were imposed. Our customers come from Singhu and Haryana areas.” Karan owns three stores in the area, one of which is a clothing store. “Last time there was farmers’ protest, we had to close three shops completely for a year. There were no customers here. Don’t know what will happen this time,” he said.

The farmers’ agitation against the now-repealed three farm laws in 2020 has been going on for over a year, with them camping at the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders. Protesters also entered Delhi, leading to clashes with police. Some people also entered the Red Fort and climbed the walls. Kapil, the owner of a wholesale retail store on the border with Singapore, said: “We asked our senior executives not to come to work on Wednesday and Thursday. There are seven helpers here. We will face losses and close by the afternoon.”

“My shop was also closed during the last protest. There was also the coronavirus lockdown. Now, we are protesting,” he said. Recalling the days of the riots in 2020, Nikosh said shops, including his shopping mall, were closed but farmers allowed them to reopen. “But now, we’re not sure what’s going to happen,” he said.

Farmers launch ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to put pressure on Center to provide legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP), implementation of Swaminathan Committee recommendations, pension for farmers and farm workers, farm debt waiver, withdrawal The police case seeks justice for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, restoration of the Land Acquisition Act 2013, withdrawal from the World Trade Organization and compensation to the families of farmers who died in the last riots, among others.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)