Farmers' Protest Highlights: BKU Leader Calls For Peaceful Protests, Urges Haryana Farmers To Join Tractor March Tomorrow
Farmers Protest Highlights: As farmers from the country's northern half make their way to the national capital, follow this space for all recent updates.
Gurnam Singh Charuni, leader of BKU (Charuni) said: "Farmers of Haryana have always played an active role in agitations. Today we gave a call for closing toll (booths) in Haryana for three hours and it was heeded. We appeal to all the farmers to take out a tractor march in their nearest town tomorrow. No roads will be blocked and discipline will be maintained.”
The farmers have claimed that social media handles were closed. At least 70 YouTube channels have been closed.
In a press conference, the farmers have claimed that over 400 farmers sustained injuries.
Samyukt Kisan Morcha and the United Trade Union Congress announced an Industrial strike and Rural Bharat Bandh today. Preparations have also been done in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj to ensure that Bandh is successful. During the Bandh, demonstrations will also be held in several places. The members of the trade union in the city will gather at around 12 PM.
The market will be closed by taking out a procession in Civil Lines. There will be strong security arrangements in view of the Bandh. However, the effect of the Bandh in Prayagraj is expected to be only symbolic.
(Inputs from Moin)
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Union Minister Arjun Munda said the talks took place in a “good atmosphere” and there was “positive discussion," PTI reported. The talks will continue and another meeting will take place at 6 pm on Sunday, he said, adding that a solution will be found by sitting together.
In a traffic advisory, the police said intensive checking will be done by installing barriers on all the borders of Noida and Delhi by the police on both sides due to which there will be a pressure on vehicular movement and traffic would be diverted according to requirement, as reported by PTI.
Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra said on Thursday that the party will support the call of bandh by farmers for their demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price for their crops.
"Farmers have called for a bandh on Friday. The Congress has also decided to support the farmers' strike call. We will remain with the farmers' movement while ensuring that there is no violence, no damage to any government property," Dotasra told reporters at a press conference, as quoted by news agency PTI.
Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra said on Thursday that the party will support the call of bandh by farmers for their demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price for their crops.
"Farmers have called for a bandh on Friday. The Congress has also decided to support the farmers' strike call. We will remain with the farmers' movement while ensuring that there is no violence, no damage to any government property," Dotasra told reporters at a press conference, as quoted by news agency PTI.
The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police on Thursday said restrictions under CrPC section 144, including a ban on unauthorised public assemblies, would be enforced across the district on February 16, as reported by news agency PTI.
"This protest seems political, and there are concerns about the spread of violence, just like we witnessed last time at the Red Fort. At that time too, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh was aware of this fact, and today also the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh is not participating for the same reason, because it is not for noble cause," says PM MSP Committee member, Pramod Chaudhary on the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest
Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai arrive to hold the third round of discussion with leaders of protesting farmer unions in Chandigarh.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann arrives to attend the third round of meeting between Union ministers and leaders of protesting farmer unions in Chandigarh.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann arrives to attend the third round of meeting between Union ministers and leaders of protesting farmer unions in Chandigarh.
The Haryana government on Thursday extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts by two days till February 17 in view of the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' agitation.
These districts are Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa, the government said in an order.
On February 13, the state government had extended the suspension of these services for two days.
On farmers' protest, former Rajasthan CM and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot says, "...This is yet another failure of BJP govt. I have never seen this much-extended struggle of farmers after the independence... Didn't they (the central govt) get time in this one year after the farm laws were repealed to communicate with the farmers?... When PM Modi himself was the Chief Minister he used to demand the law for MSP from the UPA govt but what happened now?... Congress party is with the farmers, justice will prevail at the end..."
Here’s what Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said on the call for ‘Bharat Bandh’ on February 16 by farmer unions.
“We have called for a ‘Gramin Bharat Bandh’. Farmers should not go to their farms and work tomorrow. A new line of thinking will emerge out of this. Labourers will also go on strike. This will show how many people are participating in the movement.”
Binod Anand, Member, PM MSP Committee says, "If this is the (legal guarantee on MSP) the only way country's economic progress and farmers' welfare, we will leave no stone unturned in doing this. But when was the law on MSP guaranteed? The PM never said that...These are hooligan farmers and a few people politically inspired people...People of a particular state are using farmers in this manner against their political rivals...Nothing on legal guarantee for MSP was ever said...We have to make such agri policies that will be valid until 2075 so that financial inequalities go down...MSP is a complex subject, they should come and sit with us. I assure them that if I am unable to answer all their questions, I will resign from the committee...This is a drama and something to distract and break the nation..."
Farmers 'Delhi Chalo' protest: Farmers stage a protest at a toll plaza in Gurdaspur, Punjab.
On farmers' protest, Rajasthan Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra says, ".... Our leader Rahul Gandhi and also the national President Mallikarjun Kharge have very clearly and categorically said that if Congress will come to power we'll give legal status to guarantee the MSP... Congress stands firm with the peaceful protest of farmers..."
On farmers' protest, farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni says, " Three decisions were taken today, first one is, we will keep Haryana toll free for 3 hours tomorrow, from 12pm-3pm...day after tomorrow, there will be a tractor parade in every Tehsil, from 12 pm...on 18th February, there will be a joint meeting of all farmers' and labour organisations...further decisions will be taken in that meeting..."
Speaking on the farmers' protest, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar said, "Raising demands and going to Delhi is everyone's right, but the motive has to be seen. We have seen all of this last year, how a scene was created and they occupied various borders which created problems for everyone... We have an objection to the way they are protesting... Tractor is not a mode of transport, they can come on buses or trains. Discussions should be done democratically so that a solution can be reached..."
Farmers Protest: Agitating farmers block railway track at Rajpura in Patiala district of Punjab.
The Delhi Police has placed orders for more than 30,000 tear gas shells, an official said, as the force prepares to prevent Punjab farmers from entering the national capital under their 'Dilli Chalo' protest, as reported by news agency PTI. They are determined to not let the protesters enter the national capital should they advance, PTI reported, citing a Delhi Police source.
"As far as the agitation is concerned, it has now reached across the country. A dharna has been organised in Haryana, reports about it are not coming at the internet service have been stopped. This agitation will get bigger in the coming days," Sarwan Singh Pandher said during a press conference at Shambhu border about their ongoing protest.
The General Secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Sarvan Singh Pandher has said that we want Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a dialogue with farmers or else we should be allowed to protest peacefully. Pandher told ANI on Thursday, "We have a meeting with the Union ministers today. We want PM Modi to have a conversation with them so that we can solve our demands."
Stating that India is a democratic country, he said, "We should be allowed to protest peacefully in the National Capital. The government should remove the blockades at all entry points."
On day 3 of the 'Delhi Chalo' protest, a group of farmers were seen preparing tea and food at the Shambhu border. Farmer leaders will be meeting three Union ministers in Chandigarh later today.
On the meeting with ministers today, General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Sarvan Singh Pandher says, "...We are going to attend the meeting in a completely positive mood today and we have full confidence that a positive solution will emerge from this meeting..."
As the farmers protest enters day 3, a third-round meeting between farmers and the government is set to take place today in Chandigarh. Farmers in Punjab will sit on the railway tracks today from 12 noon to 4 p.m. A meeting between farmers and union ministers will be held today at 5 p.m. in Chandigarh.
Latest visuals from Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border where security forces resort to tear gas shelling to disperse the protesting farmers.
Here’s what Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said on the upcoming meeting with Union Ministers in Chandigarh on Thursday. “Meeting agenda will remain the same as the letter with 10 demands given earlier. Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Nityanand Rai will lead the talks tomorrow. We will go to it with the hope that the Centre accepts our demands.”
"The meeting with Centre will be held at 5pm tomorrow," says Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher at Rajpura bypass in Punjab.
Singhu border on NH-44 is inaccessible for traffic. Please follow the advisory for diversions and alternative routes.
Singhu border on NH-44 is inaccessible for traffic. Please follow the advisory for diversions and alternative routes.
On farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury says, "...We've never heard of drones being used to fire tear gas shells on the farmers and all sorts of barricades that have been erected... They are trying to stop the march of the farmers to Delhi...Respecting the farmers and respecting the people who feed all of us, is required of this government. We want an immediate end to this repression and meaningful talks have to be conducted. On 16th Feb, there is going to be a big nationwide action program, including some sectoral industrial strikes along with the trade unions. This is something that the Modi govt cannot ignore. It has to immediately concede..."
On farmers' protest, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, "When this government brought those three black laws for the farmers, questions arose as to what was the need. Those three laws would have privatised our agriculture sector... The Swaminathan Committee report said that the MSP should be 1.5 times the detailed cost of production. He gave the Bharat Ratna to MS Swaminathan and also Chaudhary Charan Singh, all this is a hypocrisy."
Big meeting on farmers issue underway at Rajnath Singh's residence. Union Minister Arjun Munda is also present in the meeting.
(With Inputs From Neeraj Pandey)
On the impact of the farmers' protest, Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur says, "...Two DSPs, around 24 police personnel were injured in stone-pelting yesterday. Some farmers were also injured. I appeal to all to follow the law & order...Mainly Ambala-Chandigarh route is affected."
Lucknow, UP: On the farmers' march, BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi says, "The govt is working on the farmers' issues with sensitivity...Most of their demands have been accepted...Technically, since the Lok Sabha session has ended, the demand for a law is strange...The govt cannot form laws now.
Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda is currently holding a high-level meeting with senior officials of the ministry. According to ABP News sources, this meeting focuses on addressing the new demands being continuously raised by farmer organisations.
IndiGo Airlines has said that travel time for passengers is likely to be extended due to traffic congestion and slow vehicle movement in Delhi/NCR.
Roads being dug up at a village near Singhu border as farmers prepare to continue their 'Delhi Chalo' march.
Farmers' protest | Tear gas shells were fired to disperse the agitating farmers who were approaching the Police barricade.
On farmers' protest, Union Minister Anurag Thakur says, "I would like to say that the Modi Government has taken several steps in the last 10 years to encourage the agriculture sector and for the welfare of farmers. When they posed their demands, the government sent its senior leaders and continued the dialogue...What is the reason that new demands are being added to the demands?...If new demands are being added, more time is also required. States need time to hold discussions. We are ready to continue the discussions. Most of their demands have been accepted but the new demands require more time. I urge the agitators to not indulge in vandalism, arson or violence. I request farmer leaders to come and have discussions."
BSP chief Mayawati has urged the government to take the issues of the farmers seriously and ensure a timely resolve of them so that the farmers are not forced to protest again and again.
"The government should take seriously the demands of the hard-working farmers who have made India self-reliant in the matter of food and consider them sympathetically and resolve them in a timely manner, so that the farmers who provide food grains are not forced to protest again and again in support of their demands," Mayawati said on X.
"In this regard, instead of being strict on the agitating farmers under the current campaign of 'Delhi Chalo', it would be better if the Central Government tries to end their movement by having proper talks with them and it is also not right to exploit them," the former UP CM said in another post on X.
RAF personnel, Police personnel and Riot Control Vehicle deployed at the Singhu Border in Delhi in view of farmers' protest.
Protesting farmers will once again try to enter the national capital after they were stopped by the police at the borders on Monday. The first day of the farmers' protest 2.0 witnessed chaotic scenes at several Delhi borders, especially at Haryana's Shambhu border. As farmers refused to stop and a few of them indulged in vandalism, police had to resort to firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. While the government pressed for a resolution through talks, farmers remained resolute about marching to Delhi until all demands were met.
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, while addressing the media on Tuesday, said that the farmers are not demanding any new demands. Citing a commitment made by the government, the farmer leader said the entire movement was carried out solely to draw the attention of the Centre to these promises.
READ MORE: Farmer Leaders Deny Raising New Demands, Say Govt ‘Agreed’ On MSP Guarantee Law
Jhajjar SP Arpit Jain visited Tikri Border earlier today to take stock of security preparations because of the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest march.
Addressing media on the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest march, Sarwan Singh Pandher, general secretary, of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, said, "We say it today that we are farmers of this country, we do not fight. We demand MSP guarantee law, and implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report, which you have accepted."
Responding to the Congress's "MSP ki legal guarantee" in the first poll promise ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said on Tuesday that whenever Rahul Gandhi makes a poll promise, he does not return to that region for the next five years after the polls. Thakur claimed that the grand old party had failed not once, but several times, and that their promises had also failed.
Kurukshetra SP Surendra Bhoria told ANI: "This is Teokar Border on the Patiala-Pehowa Road. All arrangements have been made here. Sufficient force deployment has been done". His statement focused on security arrangements on the border given the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest march.
Commenting on Farmers' 'Delhi Chalo March', Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore told reporters: “Union Ministers and officials of Modi government are engaged in working for public in every way. Whatever problems people have can be solved through mutual discussions. All of us must work in the interest of a greater good.”
The traffic jam at the Ghazipur border stretches up to two kilometres and is exacerbated by obstructed service lanes due to barbed wires and trucks, resulting in a significant blockade.
However, there is an alternative route available along the road leading to Uttar Pradesh.
The impacted roads connect Delhi to several destinations, including Bareilly, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Moradabad, and Nainital.
Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora arrived at Tikri Border to inspect security arrangements here in view of the farmers' protest.
Sangeeta Goyal, Principal Medical Officer, Ambala told ANI: "We have seven cases, till now- four Haryana Police officers & officials & three from Rapid Action Force. Everyone is fine, they are conscious and their vitals are also fine. Our team of doctors are there 24 hours".
Amidst the ongoing farmer protests, the government revealed a significant drop in fuel distribution, with a 50% reduction in diesel and a 20% decrease in gas dispatched to Punjab, news agency ANI reported citing sources.
Police deployment increased at Bahadurgarh Bypass, with concrete barricading being done to stop the protesting farmers.
The Delhi Metro restricted passenger entry and exit at nine stations on Tuesday, closing some gates in anticipation of the farmers' planned march to the national capital.
Commuters were allowed to enter and exit these stations through other gates.
Official sources told PTI that the gates had been closed as part of security measures requested by the Delhi Police.
Stations with one or more closed gates are:
A senior official mentioned Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Udyog Bhawan, Janpath, Barakhamba Road, Lok Kalyan Marg, and Khan Market.
The official added that one gate at Khan Market station had been closed.
At Central Secretariat Metro Station, a staffer said around 1 PM that gates no. 1, 2, and 5 were closed due to "security reasons" while gates no. 3 and 4 were functional. (PTI Input)
Commenting on farmers' protest, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "The demands that they have requested, the majority of them have been fulfilled by the government. Regarding the remaining demands, concerned ministers like Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai have been talking to them since last week. I request them (farmers) since they have given the demands now & it is a known fact that the government is pro-farmer...This is what I appeal to them."
Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij emphasizes the government's willingness for dialogue with protesting farmers, expressing concern over their insistence on marching to Delhi and urging them to reconsider for the sake of maintaining peace.
Protesting farmers forcibly removed the cement barricade in Haryana's Kurukshetra.
In a significant move, Singhu border witnesses increased security as 20 companies of paramilitary force and 616 Delhi Police personnel, including 12 DCPs, 20 ACPs, and Inspectors, are deployed to ensure order and safety. (Input from ABP News reporter Varun Jain)
Tractor driver puts on a gas mask as police use tear gas to disperse protesting farmers at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border.
"Stones being pelted at police by protesters, tear gas shells used to control situation," said Haryana Police spokesperson, news agency PTI reported.
Haryana Police detain protestors at Shambu border as chaos breaks out during farmers' movement towards Delhi to press for their various demands.
Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda reacts to farmers protest, and stated: "The government is getting information that many people could try to pollute the atmosphere, I urge the farmers to stay careful of such elements. The government of India is committed towards the welfare of farmers. An agreement has been reached on some matters...We are open to many issues, and we can work on ways to find solutions."
"The (farmers') unions are demanding the fulfilment of the promises made to them (by the central government). Rahul Gandhi met with farmers' unions and discussed MSP, waiver on loans and PM Fasal Bima Yojana. Today, February 13, is the day for farmers' justice," Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said.
"This march has been called by (farmers') union but farmers from across the nation are with them in case of any injustice. They are coming to put their stance and the government should listen to them. All of them have the same demands of waiver on loans, enforcement of Swaminathan Commission Report and law for MSP " Rakesh Tikait said.
Haryana Education Minister Kanwar Pal said, "...The work done by this (BJP) govt for the farmers was not done previously by any govt...We are with the farmers...I feel there is politics behind this...The govt wants the farmers to become economically stronger...All issues are solved by dialogue...The farmers are satisfied but agitators are agitating. The common farmer is saying that there is no govt better than this."
The police have fire tear gas at Haryana's Shambhu border as protesting farmers march towards Delhi.
Speaking with ABP live, Special CP Ajay Choudhary said: "We are in talks with UP police. Our main focus is to avoid violence, and cause no inconvenience to the public."
Protesting farmers in large numbers at Punjab-Haryana Shambu border to move towards Delhi to press for their various demands, ANI reported.
Punjab Police allows protesting farmers to cross Rajpura bypass to head towards Haryana's Ambala onward to Delhi for their protest to press for their demands, ANI reported.
Delhi Police personnel and barricades deployed at ITO intersection, section 144 CrPC imposed, in view of farmers' protest march to Delhi demanding a law guaranteeing MSP for crops.
Delhi Government rejects the central government's proposal to convert Bawana Stadium into a jail in view of the farmers' march to Delhi today, news agency ANI reported.
On the Centre's proposal, Delhi Government Home Minister Kailash Gehlot says "The demands of the farmers are genuine. It is the constitutional right of every citizen to make a peaceful protest. It is therefore incorrect to arrest the farmers..."
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said that if any lawyer is facing problem in reaching the court today, he should inform. The court will hear the case accordingly.
Delhi Eastern Range's Additional CP Sagar Singh Kalsi said: "We have made very strict arrangements regarding the 'Delhi Chalo' march called by farmer organisations...Our aim is to stop the farmers peacefully and the common people do not face any inconvenience due to traffic…We are trying our best to deal with this situation peacefully..."
DSP Jhajjar, Shamsher Bahadur said: "Police have made preparations at Tikri border. CCTV cameras and mics have been put...Sufficient security is there...Action will be decided according to the situation..."
DSP Jhajjar, Shamsher Bahadur said: "Police have made preparations at Tikri border. CCTV cameras and mics have been put...Sufficient security is there...Action will be decided according to the situation..."
DSP Jhajjar, Shamsher Bahadur said: "Police have made preparations at Tikri border. CCTV cameras and mics have been put...Sufficient security is there...Action will be decided according to the situation..."
Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said: "We tried to find a solution so that we do not have to stand against the Govt. We were expecting that we would be given something. In the 5-hour-long meeting yesterday, we put forward the situation of Haryana...The people of Punjab and Haryana are being tortured. It seems that both these states are not a part of India anymore, they are being treated as International border..."
Supreme Court Bar Association president Adish Aggarwala writes to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to take suo motu action against the farmers for trying to enter Delhi alleging to create a nuisance and disturbing the daily life of citizens, news agency ANI reported. He also requests CJI to issue directions to courts to not pass any adverse order due to the non-presence of lawyers before the courts.
Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher holds a meeting with farmer unions in Fatehgarh Sahib.
Security heightened at Delhi borders in view of the march declared by farmers towards the National Capital today, ANI reported.
Farmers are set to begin their 'Delhi Chalo' march on Tuesday morning, a farmer leader asserted here after their five-hour-long meeting with two Union ministers over their demands remained inconclusive.
However, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, who along with Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal attended the second round of talks with the farmer leaders, said a consensus was reached on most issues and a formula was proposed for resolving some others through the formation of a committee.
"We are still hopeful that farmer bodies will hold talks. We will try to resolve these issues in the coming days," he said.
(PTI)
Background
Farmers' Protest Highlights: Hello and welcome to this space brought to you by ABP Live. Follow this space for the latest updates on Farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' March.
Farmers will once again try to enter the national capital after being stopped at the borders on Tuesday after a day of chaos and clash with the police on the first day of their protest. The first day of the protest was marked with violence, vandalism and tear gas lobbing along with massive traffic snarls due to the stringent restrictions in the capital.
On Tuesday, farmers from Punjab encountered tear gas and drone-dropped shells as clashes unfolded at two border points, where protesters attempted to breach barricades set up by Haryana Police to prevent them from advancing towards the national capital.
Police deployed tear gas, and met with protesters hurling stones, at the Shambhu border near Ambala in Haryana. Similar confrontations occurred at the border between Haryana and Punjab in Jind district. The stand-off at Shambhu persisted for hours, with some protesters reportedly detained by the Haryana Police.
The 'Delhi Chalo' movement, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, aims to pressure the Centre for their demands, including legislation on minimum support prices (MSP) for crops and loan waivers.
A substantial group of farmers, including women, departed from Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib towards the border with BJP-ruled Haryana. The Delhi Police fortified major entry points to the capital with various barriers, reminiscent of the farmers' protests in 2021.
Monday's talks in Chandigarh between farmer leaders and Union ministers failed to yield an agreement. The 'Delhi Chalo' march encountered its first hurdle at Shambhu, where security personnel used tear gas when protesters attempted to remove barricades from the Ghaggar river bridge.
Drones were observed dropping tear gas shells over the crowd, prompting a response from the Haryana Police, citing the need to control the situation amid stone-pelting at police personnel.
Authorities in Haryana strengthened borders with Punjab at multiple locations, deploying riot control vehicles, water cannons, and drones to monitor protesters. Tear gas and water cannons were used at the main border point in Jind, where farmers attempted to cross barricades.
The Haryana government imposed restrictions on assembling people under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in 15 districts. Farmers criticized the heavy barricading, likening the situation to an international border.
Despite a lengthy second round of talks with the Centre, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher expressed skepticism about the government's commitment to their demands. Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, however, claimed consensus on most issues and proposed a committee to address remaining concerns.
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