Farmer leaders call for countrywide 'chhakka jam' protest to block traffic on Saturday

The protest will be carried out for three hours from noon to 3 PM during which the protesters plan to block the traffic on the highways.

The announcement was made on Monday evening, the day the aborted march to Parliament was planned.

Saturday's protest has been called against the Centre's move to ban internet services near the agitation sites, alleged harassment by the authorities on protesters including curtailing of power and water supply in places where they are camped.

The protesting farmers have also expressed dissatisfaction on the Union Budget which according to them has ignored their concern.

The fresh protest comes after the tractor rally planned on Jan 26 was marred by violence, death of a farmer and injury to several policemen.

On Jan 26, the situation went out of control after the tractor rally, which was called by the protesters, turned violent as several farmers broke police barricades, vandalised government properties and stormed into the Red Fort to implant a Sikh flag, injuring over 100 police personnel and causing the death of one peasant.

Several supporters of farmers' protest openly criticised them on social media over the violence that erupted during their rally.

Following the incident, the protesting farmers had put on hold their march to the Parliament that was supposed to take place on Monday.

Since Nov 26, 2020, thousands of farmers have gathered at the border of Delhi, which houses the Prime Minister's residence, protesting against the three new farm laws which was enacted by the Centre through an Ordinance and later controversially passed by Parliament.