( Photo by Imteyaz Ahmed)
Satish Aditya
Motihari /Bettiah : Bharat Bandh called by the farmers, supported by all the opposition parties, on December 8, 2020, in protest against the three new farm laws had little impact in East Champaran District in North Bihar. The protesters mostly RJD, Congress , CPI, and CPI (ML) workers marched on main roads shouting slogans against Modi Government demanding immediate withdrawal of what they called the black laws.
East Champaran Krishak Sangharsh Samiti President Hardayal Kushawaha said the farmers of the district had extended their moral support to the workers of the political parties on the day of bandh but did not participate in the rally or road block because the movement of farmers would be derailed by these politicians. He said the farmers are watching the situation and will launch their agitation next week to stop the supply of milk, vegetables, and grains to the markets.
The protesters blocked the Muzaffarpur- Motihari NH28 and 28A and other main roads in the district in morning hours disrupting the traffic for two hours which were removed by police. Motihari MLA Pramod Kumar said Bharat Bandh failed in Bihar as the farmers kept
themselves away from this agitation. He alleged that the action of opposition parties were opportunistic driven by mounting
desperation in the wake of defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections recently.
In West Champaran district, the CPI (ML) workers blocked the main gate of the Collectorate at Bettiah shouting slogans ‘Kisan Ekta Zindabad’, ‘Kala Kanoon Wapas Karo’ for hours. At 50 places, the main roads leading to Bagaha, Ramnagar, Chanpatia, Narkatiaganj, ,Lauria, were blocked by the protestrs. The shops were closed and the traffic remained affected till 2 pm.