"Thousands of farmers have spread out to different districts to ensure a complete nationwide strike aimed at reminding the government to repeal the laws introduced to favour large private corporations," Rakesh Tikait, a prominent farmers' leader, told Reuters. Small farmers say the changes make them vulnerable to competition from big business, and that they could eventually lose price supports for staples such as wheat and rice. The government says the reforms mean new opportunities and better prices for farmers. Farmer union leaders say their protests would not disrupt emergency services. "We will also make sure that the strike remains peaceful," Tikait said.

Source: bd News24 September 27, 2021 03:45 UTC