Sonepat: Reopen one side of NH-44 blocked by protesting farmers, say villagers

Tribune News Service

Sonepat, September 5

Members of the Rashtravadi Parivartan Manch (RPM) and the Border Khulwao Desh Bachao Samiti (BKDBS), and residents of 15 villages of the Kundli area held a panchayat at TDI Mall here today, demanding the opening of one side of the NH-44 blocked by protesting farmers.

Besides, the panchayat members decided to constitute a joint committee of 40 villages and give one month’s ultimatum to farmers to open one side of the highway. They threatened to protest if the road was not opened.

Want some relief

We are not against the farmers’ protest, but have been demanding that the farmers should open one side of the highway so that people can get some relief. —Hemant Nandal, Convener, Rashtravadi Parivartan Manch

Hemant Nandal, RPM convener who presided over the panchayat, said: “We are not against the farmers’ protest, but we have been demanding that the farmers should open one side of the highway so that people can get some relief.”

“Residents of adjoining 40 villages face a tough time because of protest. Industries in the area have been shut and labourers have been forced to leave their jobs. Scores of people doing jobs in Delhi have to take a longer route to reach the workplace,” he added.