As per reports, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has declared a ‘Gramin Bharat Bandh’ (rural India strike) on Friday (16 February) to press for their pending demands in the farming sector.

• The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions/Federations/Associations have issued a joint statement, calling for a major mobilisation of farmers and workers across India on Friday (16 February) in the form of processions, picketing, Rail Roko and Jail Bharo (block train routes and highways).
• While the Gramin Bharat Bandh will run from 0600-1600 hours, farmers will join a traffic blockade on main roads nationwide from 1200-1600 hours.
• Public transport is expected to witness some disruptions as the transport employees’ unions have also announced to join the protest call. Centre for Indian Trade Union (CITU) Haryana, Hind Majdoor Sabha (HMS), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) have also pledged their support to the call.
• Sections of farmers in Karnataka will be lending their support to the nationwide shutdown planned on Friday (16 February), and will be shutting down activities in rural areas and towns bordering villages till 1600 hours.
• Further, a call has been given for ‘Bengaluru Chalo’ (march to Bengaluru) on Saturday (17 February). Bengaluru Chalo is being organised under the aegis of Karnataka State Raitha Sangha Federation to press for various demands.
• While local businesses in the rural districts of Karnataka are expected to remain affected, sporadic protests and demonstrations by farmers near Vidhan Soudha, and Freedom Park in Bengaluru cannot be ruled out.
• In Punjab, most of the state and national highways will be closed for four hours. Public transport will also likely remain off the roads as the roadway employees’ unions are also a part of this protest call.
• Transportation, agricultural activities, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) rural works, and rural industrial and service sector institutions are likely to remain closed.
• Further, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has also expressed solidarity with the farmers and will likely join the movement in Ambala.
• Disruptions are especially expected to be witnessed at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders of Punjab and Haryana. Interstate traffic movement is also expected to remain affected between Rajasthan and Punjab. Rajasthan authorities sealed the border between Punjab’s Fazilka District and Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar District, by placing cement slabs and restricting vehicular entry from Punjab at the Sadhuwali check-post, Patli check-post and Hindumal Kot toll.