Five months, 400 farmers killed; Why haven't we kept a count
India is literally counting deaths now. Political leaders who having failed to provide hospital beds and oxygen to the Covid-19 patients are simply making provisions for the disposal of the dead bodies. They have not only increased the number of crematoriums but also assured that their number would be increased further. Politicians seem to be more adept at cremating dead bodies than protecting their lives. Their message seems to be that “Be prepared to die, we will make preparations to light your pyres.” Even the media is busy counting the deaths instead of boldly exposing the failure of the Centre and the state governments.
At the same time, India also witnessing saga of deaths. Agitating farmers at the Delhi border are dying but not of Covid-19. In the past five months, about 400 farmers have died while fighting for their demands. The Government is responsible for these deaths just as it is responsible for death of Covid patients. Amidst the pandemic we are realizing the consequences of not strengthening our public health system. In 2017, more than 150 children died due to lack of oxygen in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. Dr Kafeel Khan then took the initiative to procure oxygen from private organizations and saved the lives of hundreds of children. In the process he also exposed exposed the weakness of the public health system in the state. He was imprisoned for this. Although he was responsible for saving the lives of many the children, he was accused of negligence. Now, oxygen deficiency is causing the deaths of lakhs of Covid patients. And those who ignored Dr Kafeel Khan’s early warning branded him as a ‘terrorist’, and imprisoned him are responsible for these deaths too.
The agriculture sector is as significant as the health sector. If private corporations take over agriculture from farmers, the consequences will be disastrous on India’s food security. Farmers have hit the streets protesting against the anti-farmer policies of the government. Despite the anxiety created by the pandemic, farmers have not withdrawn their agitation and have also clarified that they would not do so. The government has neglected their demand.
The day is not too far when the government will pay a heavy price for this neglect. The government, in the meantime, is trying to build an anti-farmer narrative through the media holding the agitating farmers responsible for spreading the Coronavirus by not wearing masks. The same government turned a total blind eye towards the Kumbhamela and election rallies which had the potential to spread the virus. If government’s concern regarding the farmers’ agitation as potential site of spreading the Coronavirus, the government should heed the demands of the farmers so that they will end their agitation. The farmers need to return to their native as they have enough and more work waiting for them.
Farmers have been striving hard for several years to make India self-sufficient in food grains and for the betterment of people’s lives. The government should not forget this. When the country was facing drought a few years ago the government launched ‘grow more food’ program. The farmers made this program a success. The government should be grateful to farmers and accept their demand for the withdrawal of the controversial farm laws that they fear will have disastrous consequences on Indian agriculture. But, it appears that the Centre has decided to use its might to end the farmers agitation.
Today, we are experiencing the effects of corporatization of the health sector. Big industrialists in the health sector are contemplating how much money can be made during the current pandemic. Middle-men are deciding the price of vaccine, oxygen, and hospital beds. If the government had encouraged public hospitals, we would not have faced such a situation. In the coming days, the effects of complete corporatization of the agriculture sector will be borne not only by farmers but also by everyone.. Meeting farmers’ demands would be similar to strengthening the country’s future..
The 150-day old farmers’ agitation that has not only withstood rain, scorching sun, and cold but also a pandemic such as the Coronavirus has also attracted the attention of the world. Because of the failure in handling the Coronavirus, India has to hang its head in shame before the international community. The government should at least now wake up to the farmers’ agitation. If farmers are to be forcefully vacated, it would lead to a greater tragedy.
The country owes a debt to farmers who toil hard to feed its teeming millions even under most adverse situations. It is true that the Indian agriculture sector needs reforms but the changes must be decided by farmers.. Withdrawal of the anti-farmer laws is the minimum that the government should do. That will be like the much-needed oxygen for agitating farmers.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
