Farmers' protests spread in Rajasthan; Sikar worst affected district

Rajasthan's farmers have a list of eleven demands. A meeting with representatives of the Vasundhara Raje administration failed to resolve the impasse, but another round of talks will be held at 1 pm today.

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A farmer from Chirawanda, Rajasthan (File Photo: Bandeep Singh)
A farmer from Chirawanda, Rajasthan (File Photo: Bandeep Singh)

In Short

  • Sikar is the worst-affected region
  • Mobile internet services have been disabled in the entire district
  • Thousands have occupied the Jaipur-Sikar route

Farmers in Rajasthan have blocked entry and exit paths to three districts, disrupting daily life as they demand loan waivers, compensation for damaged crops, payment of insurance money and implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's report.

Sikar, the ground zero of the protests, is the worst-affected district. Farmers have gathered at around 250 different locations in the region, blocking highways and inconveniencing locals and commuters.

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Thousands have occupied the Jaipur-Sikar route, and continue to block the area outside the agriculture produce market. Several roads connecting Jaipur to Jhunjhunu, Churu, and Bikaner are blocked.

Section 144 has been imposed within a two-kilometre radius around the Sikar District Collectorate, and mobile internet services have been disabled in the entire district.

Rajasthan's farmers have a list of eleven demands. A meeting with representatives of the Vasundhara Raje administration failed to resolve the impasse, but another round of talks will be held at 1 pm today.

"If the government doesn't agree with the recommendations made by the Swaminathan Commission, along with the demand for farm loan waiver, then their mahavpadav and blockades will continue," said Amraram, a former MLA and a protest leader.

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