Farmer Leaders Say Will Block Roads Across The Country On Saturday

Farmers have been protesting at different borders of Delhi since November 26. (File)

Farmers protesting against the Centre's three farm laws have called for a countrywide "chakka jam" protest on Saturday. The duration of the protest will be three hours -- from noon to 3 pm -- during which they plan to block transport on highways. The announcement was made on Monday evening -- the day the aborted march to parliament was planned – the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of farmer groups.

The protest is against the internet ban in areas near their agitation sites, alleged harassment by the authorities, curtailment of power and water at their protest venues and other issues.

The farmers also expressed dis-satisfaction about the union budget presented on Monday, and said they have been "ignored".

The fresh plans come on the heels of last week's tractor rally, which had ended in violence and chaos, costing the farmers much of the goodwill they earned through their peaceful protest.

Many had condemned the protesters on social media. In states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, locals wanted farmers protesting in the neighbourhood gone.

After Tuesday's violence at the Red Fort, when thousands of protesters had over-run the Mughal-era building complex and hoisted a Sikh religious flag, the farmers' organisations had called off the rally.

They had even put on hold their planned march to parliament that was supposed to take place on Monday.

Soon after, the administration at Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, joined in, ordering the protesters to vacate the Ghazipur-Meerut Highway, where they had been camping for more than two months.