Haryana women block the KMP expressway in Jhajjar district.

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, March 6

Farmers from Punjab and Haryana displayed a show of unity and bonhomie during the massive blockade at the KMP Expressway near Mandothi village in the district today. They worked in tandem in managing traffic and serving langar, while blocking both sides of the highway peacefully.

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Virender Hooda, farmer leader

Bonhomie & unity

Brotherhood between Punjab and Haryana farmers is the backbone of this stir. Punjab is discharging the duty of an elder brother, while Haryana is executing its directions properly.

They requested the drivers and cleaners of commercial vehicles stuck in the blockade to join the protesters on the expressway. Moved, many drivers parked their vehicles on the roadside and joined the protest in solidarity with the farmers.

It was the third such protest by the farmers in the past one month after “chakka jam” on February 6 and ‘rail roko’ on February 18 to mount pressure on the Central Government to get the three farm laws

Sudesh Goyat, activis

Women power

The presence of women is a proof that the protest is going strong. We have been supporting the stir from the beginning and will not return home until the laws are repealed.

The two protests in February were led by Haryana farmers, but today’s protest was led by farmers of both states. “Brotherhood between Punjab and Haryana farmers is the backbone of this agitation. Punjab is discharging the duty of an elder brother by leading the agitation, while Haryana is executing the elder brother’s directions and making all necessary arrangements,” said farmer leader Virender Hooda.

Among the protesters were women from Punjab and Haryana in large numbers. Those from Haryana wore black attires and carried black flags, while Punjab women donned yellow “dupattas”. They raised the slogan of “Kisan Ekta Zindabad”.

Sudesh Goyat, a woman activist from Hisar, said: “The presence of women from Punjab and Haryana is a proof that the protest is going strong. We have been supporting the agitation from the beginning and will not return home until the three farm laws are repealed. There is no let-up. We all are determined”.