Image for representation (Source: Shubham Sharma on Unsplash)
2 years ago
Feb 13, 2024
Farmers started their march towards Delhi on Tuesday after a meeting with two Union ministers over their demands, including a legal guarantee to the MSP for crops, remained inconclusive.
Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda on Tuesday said a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price on crops cannot be brought in a hurry without consulting all stakeholders.
The minister urged the protesting farmer groups to have a structured discussion with the government on the issue.
In an interview with PTI, Munda also cautioned the protesting farmers to be "aware and alert" about some elements that could defame their protest for political benefits.
Bharatiya Kisan Union president Naresh Tikait on Tuesday said the Centre should hold talks with the farmers and alleged that its 'stubborn approach' is proving to be dangerous. The BKU chief wondered whether the farmers will always be in the agitation mode, block roads or head towards Delhi.
Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat on Tuesday said "The Narendra Modi government has not only denied the rights of farmers and workers, but also betrayed them. Why do they (the Centre) say no to the law to guarantee minimum support price (MSP) for crops?"
After Shambhu border, farmers encountered tear gas and water cannons near Haryana's Jind on Tuesday as law enforcement attempted to prevent large groups from entering Haryana through the Khanauri border in the Jind district.
On Tuesday, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation issued a statement indicating that several gates may be shut in response to the ongoing farmer's march towards Delhi. Despite this, operations at the Metro stations remain unaffected.
These stations include: Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Udyog Bhawan, Patel Chowk, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Janpath, Khan Market, and Lok Kalyan Marg.
#WATCH | Protesting farmers forcibly remove the cement barricade as they try to cross over the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border. pic.twitter.com/yR5rxQDrJW
Police in Delhi and the neighboring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have blocked major city access roads using metal barriers, concrete barricades and barbed wire in an effort to halt thousands of farmers marching to demand guaranteed crop prices and loan waivers, three years after crippling anti-reform demonstrations that choked the Indian capital for months.
Haryana | "11 companies deployed here. We are ensuring that there is no law and order situation here and citizens do not face any trouble in commuting. As of now, there is no march towards the Tikri border (with Delhi), but the situation is dynamic and we are monitoring it using… pic.twitter.com/bbSpV62ihj
Farmers have began their march to a heavily fortified Delhi after their meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda and Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal remained inconclusive.
"We are still hopeful that farmer bodies will hold talks... We will try to resolve issues in the coming days," Munda said.
Farmer leaders are demanding a legal guarantee to minimum support price for crops, among other demands.
Farmers started their 'Delhi Chalo' march on Tuesday after a meeting with two Union ministers over their demands, including a legal guarantee to the MSP for crops, remained inconclusive.
Authorities in Haryana have fortified the state's borders with Punjab at many places in Ambala, Jind, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra and Sirsa using concrete blocks, iron nails and barbed wire to scuttle the proposed march.
Security measures have been beefed up in the national capital before the protesters reach the city. Police and paramilitary personnel in anti-riot gear have been deployed in massive numbers at the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders.
