Chhavi Bhatia
Singhu—Enduring incessant rain and sharp dip in temperature for the last one week, farmers here are bringing in new measures to prevent further damage due to vagaries of weather. Tin sheds covering a vast area and buses converted into ‘shelter homes’ are the latest addition to Singhu where lakhs of farmers have dug in their heels protesting against the controversial farm laws
The organisers have covered the main stage with a large waterproof tent and also the place where the audience sits to listen to daily addresses and watch programmes. Farmers have also set up a large tin shed to use it for various purposes like storing food supplies and providing shelter to people, especially in rain. Kulwant Singh, Sarpanch, Bariala village, Mohali who has been at the dharna for over a month now, overheard some people mulling over getting a waterproof structure. Having seen and experienced what his fellow farmer brothers were going through, he immediately placed a call back home to get some welders. “Though we managed to save a lot of it, some ration got damaged. The sangat too had no option but to cook in the rain. It was painful to see them all drenched and doing sewa. That is when I decided to get a tin shed made,” said Kulwant.
Mandeep Singh who travelled from Mohali to set up the shed told FW that this was their way of contributing to the dharna and they will set up more such sheds if the demand comes. “We left for Singhu as soon as we received sarpanch ji’s message. Our farmers are suffering yet continue to fight for all of us. They deserve as much comfort as possible,” he said. Though Kulwant and others insisted on paying him, Mandeep has refused to charge anything for his services. “We told the farmers that they can call us anytime and they don’t have to worry about the expenses incurred. This is sewa for us,” the 35-year-old said.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee has parked as many as 25 school buses of Delhi Harkishan Public School at Singhu, all of which have been turned into shelter homes. The seats have been removed to make space for mattresses and floors have been covered with rugs. The windows too have been covered for privacy. One bus has been exclusively kept for women. 10 people can sleep in the bus. “A lot of people lost their beddings when it rained heavily on Tuesday. These buses provide a place to sleep and also shelter during rain,” said Amanjeet Singh, a farmer from Ropar. On their own too the farmers have covered their tents and trolleys with tarpaulin sheets.
Regular fumigation is also being done across the length and breadth of Singhu to handle flies and mosquitoes. The volunteers are covering all trolleys and tents too besides open areas.
