NEW DELHI: The three-hour nationwide ‘chakka jam‘ called by farmers against the government’s internet suspension at Delhi’s border areas came to an end on Saturday. The blockade began at 12pm and lasted till 3pm. Highways across north India, including the Eastern Peripheral Expressway around Delhi, were blocked by farmers protesting against the centre’s three farm laws passed in September.
Here are the top developments of the day:
‘Chakka jam’ draws strong response in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan
Protesters on Saturday blocked several key roads in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, while scattered demonstrations were held in several other states during the three-hour ‘chakka jam.’ Protesters also stalled traffic on roads in parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. ‘Rasta roko’ protests were staged in Karad and Kolhapur cities in Maharashtra. A few pro-Kannada organisations too came in support of the agitators and staged demonstrations in Bengaluru and other cities.

Scores of protesters, including opposition members, detained
No untoward incident was reported in any part of the country during Saturday’s protests though scores of people were detained in several states. Around 50 people were detained near Shaheedi Park in central Delhi on Saturday for allegedly holding a protest in support of the ‘chakka jam’.
‘Rasta rokos’ were staged in Karad and Kolhapur cities in Maharashtra on Saturday. At least 40 protesters, including senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan’s wife Satvasheela Chavan and farmers, were detained by the police for staging the protest on a busy road at Kolhapur Naka in Maharashtra’s Karad.
‘Govt has been given time to govt till Oct 2 to repeal farm laws’
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Saturday said that they have given time to the government till October 2 to repeal the farm laws, failing which the farm unions agitating against the new laws would plan further protests. Speaking at the Ghazipur protest site, Tikait said, “We have given time to the government till October 2 to repeal the laws. After this, we will do further planning.” The 51-year-old farm leader cautioned that they “won’t hold discussions with the government under pressure.” “We won’t return home unless our demands are met,” the Tikait reiterated.

Internet services suspended again, capital under heavy security blanket
No untoward incident was reported even as the national capital turned into a fortress with heavy security deployment by the Delhi Police, paramilitary and reserve forces personnel.
Meanwhile, the home ministry extended the suspension of internet services to ‘maintain public safety’ at Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri borders of Delhi and other adjoining areas too till 23:59 hours on February 6. Drone cameras, multilayered barricades, nail-studded roads and barbed wires were deployed by the police as precautionary measures.
Ten Delhi Metro stations, including Mandi House and ITO, were closed for the duration of the blockade from 12 noon to 3 pm, and reopened after the protest ended. However, no untoward incidents took place in Delhi and the traffic movement was normal, the police said.

Business as usual at Singhu border as action shifts to other highways
It was business as usual at the Singhu border as national and state highways across the country. The Delhi-Haryana highway, the epicentre of the ongoing farmers’ agitation, saw routine everyday activities like preparation and distribution of langar food, farmers making motivational speeches from stages, and tractors blaring rustic songs as the action shifted to the other national highways, albeit for a brief period in the day.
(With agency inputs)