"delhi-chalo"

Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana have gathered at various border points of Delhi since November 26 as part of their protest against the Centre's farm laws.

In Kolkata, CPI(M) activists along with SFI and DYFI members blocked roads in Lake Town, College Street, Jadavpur and Shyambazar Five-Point Crossing.

Burning tyres were placed on National Highway 110 and 83, resulting in the disruption of traffic, leading to long queues of vehicles.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, extending support to the bandh call, had appealed to all sections of society to observe the bandh to express solidarity with the agitating farmers in New Delhi.

Since morning on Tuesday, all the 3,000 city buses remained in their respective bus depots in the city.

Kejriwal had visited the Singhu border on Monday and reviewed facilities for farmers protesting against the agri marketing laws.

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses are plying as scheduled during the Bharat Bandh, a senior official of the state-run undertaking said.

City Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar allocated areas of responsibility to officers and requested them to move personally in the areas.

He said this was the "right time" for farmers to come out on streets and get their issues resolved.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged his party officials and workers to support the bandh.

"The award definitely means a lot to me but we also have to take a stand for things we believe in," he said.

Farmers have been protesting at the borders of the national capital for over a week now against the three farm laws.

Meanwhile, a nationwide shutdown has been called by the protesting farmers on December 8.

He asked TRS cadre to directly participate in the bandh and appealed to people of Telangana State to make the bandh a success and stand by the farmers.

Farmer leaders stuck to their demand for the repeal of laws and went on a 'maun vrat' seeking a clear 'yes or no' reply, forcing the Centre to call for another meeting on Dec 9

The unions had called a nationwide strike on November 26 to protest against recently passed labour codes as well as farm laws, among other issues. 

The 67-year-old minister was given the first shot on November 20.

Farmers' groups on Thursday had even refused the lunch, tea and water offered to them during the almost eight-hour-long hectic parleys.

The Left parties condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its "malicious campaign on preposterous charges" against the farmers.

Undeterred by the winter chill, thousands of farmers have stayed put at various border points of Delhi for the past nine days as part of their protest against the Centre's farm laws.