SKM Nationwide Protest: Bathinda Toll Plazas Turn Toll-Free Amid Farmers' Agitation

Acting on the nationwide call given by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), various farmer organisations staged demonstrations at all toll plazas across Bathinda district on Wednesday. As part of the protest, vehicles were allowed to pass through without paying toll charges for three hours, from 12 noon onwards. The protest resulted in toll plazas located at Jida, Lehra Bega, Balluana, Jassi Baghwali, and Sheikhpura being made completely toll-free during the demonstration. A large number of farmers, including women, gathered at the toll plazas, raising slogans against the Central Government and displaying placards highlighting their demands. During the protest, farmers also made the Lehra Bega toll plaza on the Bathinda-Chandigarh National Highway toll-free, allowing traffic to move without interruption. Despite the large turnout, the demonstration remained peaceful, and no untoward incident was reported. Farmer leaders demanded the immediate cancellation of the proposed India-US trade agreement, claiming that it would adversely affect the interests of the country's farming community. They also called for an adequate supply of urea and DAP fertilisers and urged the government to roll back the increased prices of petrol, diesel, and domestic LPG. Till the filing of the report, the protest remained peaceful, with traffic moving smoothly as vehicles were allowed to pass through the toll plazas without paying toll fees.