Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates: Farmers Threaten To Hold Tractor Rally, Shut Malls And Petrol Pumps If Demands Not Met By Jan 4
Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates: Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday expressed hope that the next meeting with the leaders of the protesting farmers’ unions will end the deadlock even as farmers threatened to up the ante if all their demands are not met in the talks to be held on January 4.
Farmer from Baghpat dies at Ghazipur border protest site
Amid freezing temperatures in Delhi and adjoining areas, a farmer from Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh died near the Ghazipur border on Friday while protesting against new agricultural laws enacted by the central government.
The farmer, Galtan Singh (57) was a resident of Bhagwanpur Nagal village in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh, said Saurav, an associate of Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait, who is leading the farmers from Uttar Pradesh demonstrating at the Ghazipur Border.
Farmers have also threatened to intensify the protest by holding a tractor march in large numbers on January 6 if their demands are not met.
"Similar farm laws were promised by Congress in their poll manifesto. CPI(M) also demanded to bring in such laws. Now,both parties are opposing it. Farmers shouldn't be misguided,"he says.
The current situation makes it clear that if this agitation continues, it will seriously affect Kerala. There is no doubt that Kerala will starve if the supply of food items from other states stops: State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
Agreement in 2 out of 4 issues was reached in the meeting which included - Stubble burning & Electricity Amendment Bill. Agreement on Main 2 demands of repealing Farmer Bill 2020 & guarantee of MSP is yet to be reached.
Slamming the Centre over the ongoing farmers' protest, Rajasthan CM Gehlot tweeted: "As 2020 is about to end & we are entering into New Year, entire nation was waiting for a fruitful outcome of talks today between central govt & farmers so that the agitating farmers could return to their homes to celebrate the New Year with their families happily.Unfortunately, govt didn’t relent & the only outcome is another round of talks on 4th January. It is sad that our #farmer brothers & sisters, who are protesting would welcome New Year out on roads & away from homes. A sensitive, responsive govt would never let this happen!"
Bharatiya Kisan Union spokesperson Rakesh Tikait, who is a part of the delegation holding talks with the Union Government over farm laws, leaves for Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi from Ghazipur border (UP-Delhi border) for today's talks between farmers and government.
As reported by news agency ANI, Reliance Jio Infocomm on Wednesday wrote to Punjab CM and Punjab DGP seeking their intervention into incidents of sabotage and vandalism at Jio Network sites" in the state by unknown persons.
Som Prakash, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry on Wednesday said that he is hopeful of the talks scheduled for today between the centre and farmers unions over the three Farm Bills.
"We hope that the talks will be decisive. Talks will be held on all issues including MSP with an open heart. I hope that farmers' agitation ends today."
Ahead of the next round of talks between centre and farmers scheduled for today, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said "Some forces have tried to create some misperceptions amongst farmers. We've also spoke to several farmers. My only request to farmers is that clause-wise discussion should be done & not seek 'yes' or 'no' answer. We will find a resolution"
Background
New Delhi: Farmers' organizations under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, after a meeting at Singhu border, on Friday said that if the talks with the government on January 4 fail then they will intensify the protest and hold a tractor rally on January 6.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal) General Secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal told IANS, "The topics of the next round of talks with the government were discussed in the meeting. The government has agreed to our two demands, but two important demands are yet to be discussed on January 4. If these two demands are not negotiated during the talks with the government, then a tractor rally will be taken out on January 6."
As the deadlock between the farmers and the government continues, the farmer unions have also warned that if the government fails to end their meet, they will shut down malls and petrol pumps in Haryana.
"In Haryana, all toll plazas will remain free. All the petrol pumps and malls, except private, will be shut. Leaders of BJP and Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) will face protests in the state and this will continue till their government of alliance breaks," said Vikas Sisar, a farmer leader from Haryana.
Saturday marked the 38th day of the farmers' protest against the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Production and Facilitation) Act, 2020; Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020; and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020. The farmers are demanding the withdrawal of all three laws, while the government has agreed to amend the laws as per the suggestions of the farmers. The farmers will be taking up the issue during the 6th round of talks with the government
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