Farmers nationwide are continuing their ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest march for a third day. On Thursday evening, the administration and farmer representatives are scheduled to meet for a third round of discussions aimed at resolving the impasse over fundamental demands.
In short
- Farmer leaders will hold their third round of negotiations with Union Ministers today.
- Farmers in protest promised to carry on their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march for a third day.
- On February 16, a group of farmers declared a statewide strike.
As the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march persists with thousands of farmers determined to continue their protest, the Centre and farmer leaders are preparing for a third round of discussions. Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, and Nityanand Rai are scheduled to meet representatives of the protesting farmer unions via video conferencing this evening.
According to sources cited by news agency PTI, senior Union Ministers, including Rajnath Singh and Arjun Munda, convened on Wednesday to tackle the ongoing farmers’ protests and associated matters. Details of the meeting have not been revealed yet. Rajnath Singh, who previously served as the Agriculture Minister, engaged in discussions with Munda, the current head of the Agriculture Ministry, concerning various farmer grievances.
Updates on the farmers’ protest are as follows:
Harmeet Singh Kadian, representing Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kadian) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) Punjab Chapter, has announced a nationwide strike scheduled for February 16. Additionally, protests are slated to take place at toll plazas across Punjab on February 15 from 11 AM to 2 PM.
At the Shambhu border dividing Punjab and Haryana, security forces deployed tear gas to scatter farmers who were trying to breach barricades. In response, some protesters hurled stones. Additionally, a small number of farmers attempted to bring down a police drone that was monitoring the protests by flying kites.
The Data Singhwala-Khanauri border has been fortified by the Haryana Police with barricades, obstructing farmers from advancing towards Delhi on their tractor-trolleys. Despite clashes and injuries reported on the inaugural day of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, demonstrations persist.
The Delhi Police issued a caution about significant traffic congestion expected on the DND Flyway due to security checks, urging commuters to consider alternative routes. Key areas around Delhi, including Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri, have been fortified with barricades, concrete blocks, iron nails, and container walls to hinder the progress of the farmers.
The protesting farmers are calling for a legal assurance of Minimum Support Price (MSP), the enforcement of the Swaminathan Commission’s suggestions, pensions for both farmers and farm laborers, relief from agricultural debt, and justice for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
Ratnavali