Farmers' Bharat Bandh begins; national highways and railways will be besieged

NEW DELHI: The Bharat Bandh called by farmers' organizations seeking withdrawal of farm laws has started. The bandh is till 4 pm. 230 centres in Punjab and national highways and railways in Haryana will be besieged.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) called on all to work together to defend the principles of democracy and federalism. Opposition parties including CPM, Congress, NCP and hundreds of organisations have announced their support for the strike.

The hartal called in Kerala expressing solidarity with the farmers' agitation started. In Kerala, the hartal is from 6 am to 6 pm. There will be no KSRTC services. Protests programmes by five each have been organised. All exams scheduled for today have been postponed. Essential services including milk, newspapers and hospitals, have been excluded from the hartal.