Journalism of Courage
Farmers defy police order, gather for mahapanchayat in UP’s Shamli
1 / 8Defying police order, a large number of farmers gathered for the fifth mahapanchayat in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh to protest against the Centre's farm laws on Friday. (Express photo: Abhinav Saha)
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2 / 8People from Shamli and nearby districts started reaching Shamli's Bhainswal village on tractors, two- and four-wheelers and on foot for a 'kisan panchayat' being held there by the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). (Express photo: Abhinav Saha)
3 / 8The Shamli district administration had denied permission for the mahapanchayat in west UP at Bhainswal village, citing “unruly behaviour by farmers” at the tractor rally in Delhi on Republic Day and “violation of Covid guidelines” by protesters. (Express photo: Abhinav Saha)
4 / 8However, the Rashtriya Lok Dal, the organiser of the mahapanchayat, asserted that the denial is not going to deter the participants. (Express photo: Abhinav Saha)
5 / 8RLD's farmer outreach programmes which began Friday in Shamli are further scheduled to be held in Amroha, Aligarh, Bulandshahr, Mathura, Agra, Hathras, Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh and a couple of them in Rajasthan during the February month. (Express photo: Abhinav Saha)
6 / 8Shamli DM Jasjit Kaur had issued directions that Section 144 of the CrPC — prohibiting any public gathering of four or more than four persons — be implemented strictly in the district from February 4 till April 3. (Express photo: Abhinav Saha)
7 / 8In a jibe at the administration for invoking Section 144, RLD vice president Jayant Chaudhary Thursday tweeted, “144 reasons why I will go to Shamli tomorrow!” (Express photo: Abhinav Saha)
8 / 8The move comes days after similar gatherings saw the participation of thousands in other parts of UP, including in Muzaffarnagar and Baghpat, to protest against the three contentious farm laws. (Express photo: Abhinav Saha)
