MOHALI: Most farmers had retreated from YPS Chowk on Mohali-Chandigarh border by Wednesday evening, after CM Bhagwant Mann conceded to their demands.
However, some farmers who had come from faraway districts stayed back and were seen powering up fans and coolers from roadside junction boxes used for supplying power to streetlights and the fountains at YPS Chowk, which is also known as Dolphin Chowk. Many others were seen chopping vegetables to cook potato curry with cheese while sitting on the roadside. They were in a jovial mood.
Farmers from Abohar and Fazilka said they will start their return journey early in the morning, as they have to cover 300-350km to reach home. Sajjan Singh, a farmer, said, "We are celebrating by cooking our favourite food, potato curry with cheese. We are now preparing the potato curry and have already fried the cheese in oil to make our dish mouthwatering."
Another farmer Channan Singh said when the Narendra Modi-led central government had to concede to their demands, there was no other way for Mann. "This is our victory day and we are celebrating," he said.
Earlier, soon after the government accepted their demands, farmers raised slogans of victory at YPS Chowk. Punjab minister for rural development Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal had reached the protest site to make announcements. After he was done, farmers held a religious discourse at the protest site and then left for homes.