Farmers Protest 2024, Kisan Andolan Day 3 Live Updates: On the third day of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, farmer leaders are set for a third round of talks with Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Nityananad Rai, in Chandigarh on Thursday even as the Punjab-Haryana border continued to remain tense.
Earlier on Wednesday, while talking to the media, the farmer leaders said that the protestors at the Shambhu border were asked to choose between two options — first, pressing on for their demands, and second, returning to the table for further discussions. Farmer leaders said they “would refrain from advancing towards Delhi on Thursday till the meeting with the Union ministers if there was no tear gas shelling from Haryana’s side”.
In addition to the protests at the Punjab-Haryana borders, members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union-Ugrahan (BKU-Ugrahan) has blocked the railway tracks in Punjab today, to show solidarity with the farmers marching towards Delhi. Several train services have been impacted.
Farmers Protest Day 3 Highlights: Centre to hold third round of talks with farmer leaders. The situation remains tense at the Punjab-Haryana borders. Follow Financial Express for all the latest updates.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha has issued guidelines for 'Grameen bandh' tomorrow.
-Grameen Bandh: Starting from 6 am to 4 pm on February 16, 2024, villages are set to observe a complete shutdown. All agricultural activities, MNREGS works, and rural operations will come to a halt.
-Closure of Markets and Offices: The supply and purchase of essential items like vegetables and other crops will be suspended. Additionally, village shops, grain markets, government and non-government offices, as well as rural enterprises, are urged to remain closed during this period.
-Transport Disruption: Public and private transport services will not operate as usual. However, arrangements will be made to facilitate emergency services such as ambulance access, medical shops, and transportation for essential events like weddings and exams.
-Chakka Jam and Road Picketing: From 12 pm to 4 pm, farmers will actively participate in massive demonstrations, road blockades, and picketing to draw attention to their cause.
-Public Demonstrations and Cultural Programs: Throughout the day, there will be widespread demonstrations, rallies, and public meetings held at various village, tehsil, and district centers.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called a 'Bharat Bandh' on Friday in support of the 'Delhi Chalo' agitation.
Several commuters faced difficulties as the Singhu border remained closed for traffic for the third consecutive day in view of the farmers' protest. Some people also had to cross the Delhi-Haryana border on foot while carrying their little children in arms.
BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said barricading and other preventive methods being used against farmers to block their entry into the national capital is wrong. "The barricading done on NH by the Haryana government to stop us (is wrong). Our demand is with the Government of India and we have no issues with Harayana (government). We appeal to the farmers to be patient and stay with the movement.”
Speaking on the BJP government's action against farmers who are protesting for their demands, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said: "Administration of Ravan has crossed all Lakshman Rekhas". Banerjee claimed that the BJP is not bothered even as farmers are protesting and the "country is burning."
Internet services have been snapped in three districts of Punjab, particularly near the border areas, till February 16.
Speaking to the media about the ongoing farmers' stir, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said, "PM Modi’s guarantee to double the income of farmers has failed. Rahul Gandhi (Congress MP) has said that if Congress comes into power, then we will give a legal guarantee for MSP."
On farmers' protest, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar said, "It is not appropriate to comment but it is evident that they (farmers) are getting support from somewhere or the other. The Punjab Govt could have stopped them, but they did not, this shows that there must be some understanding. Delhi Govt says that they are in support of the farmers' movement..." (ANI)
On farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's, 'we have to bring graph of PM Modi down' remark, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar says "This is a political statement. Will the people stop supporting PM Modi if such a huge protest is organised? A message is getting circulated in the public that this is not the right way to protest..."
While talking to the media about the farmers' protest and the issues being faced by the general public due to the borders being sealed, Haryana Chief Minister 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..."
The second day of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest by Punjab and Haryana farmers saw tensions escalating further at various border points as police used extreme measures to disperse the crowds and halt farmers from entering the national capital. Farmers alleged that the Haryana police used pellet guns against them at the Khanauri border on Wednesday.
Additionally, tear gas was fired from drones for the second consecutive day at the Shambhu border, aimed at preventing the farmers from reaching the multi-layered barricades surrounding the national capital.
During the protest at the Shambhu border near Ambala, farmers resorted to flying kites in an attempt to bring down a drone employed by Haryana security personnel for dropping tear gas shells on the demonstrators. The use of the unmanned aerial vehicle sparked anger among the protesters, resulting in numerous injuries. Read more
While talking to the media about the ongoing farmers' protest and their demands, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, “Our demands aren’t 'repetition' but a matter of life and death for us. We will put forward our point in front of the ministers.”
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"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," he said.
While talking to the media about the ongoing farmers' protest, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday said, “When our farmers are marching towards Delhi with their demands, our Prime Minister is travelling abroad. If he will give the guarantee of MSP, then I will think he is truly the leader of the country.”
A group of farmers prepare tea and food at the Shambhu border. Farmers have been staying at the Punjab-Haryana border since February 13. On day 3 of the protest, farmer leaders are scheduled to meet three Union ministers in Chandigarh.
The Bharatiya Kisan Union - BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) and BKU Dakaunda (Dhaner) - have announced a 'rail roko' in Punjab on Thursday at seven locations, from 12 pm to 4 pm.
The locations for the protest include Rajpura, Sunam (close to Shambhu and Khanauri borders, respectively), Jethuke village in Bathinda, Moga, Mansa, Malaut, Valla railway crossing in Amritsar, Barnala, Sangrur, Budhlada.
Day 2 of the ‘Chalo Dilli’ march by Punjab’s farmers, called by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, ended with the farmer leaders accepting another invitation for talks with Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Nityananad Rai on Thursday.
Farmer leaders said they would refrain from advancing towards Delhi on Thursday if there was no teargas shelling from Haryana’s side. “We aim to engage in peaceful talks with Union ministers in Chandigarh at 5 pm on Thursday. Haryana security forces should avoid instigating our farmers with teargas or other measures… We are in favor of dialogue. If the government is committed to resolving our issues through discussion, we are also willing,” said Pandher.
On Wednesday, the government extended an invitation to farmer leaders for a third round of talks within a week, following inconclusive meetings on February 8 and 12. This offer was made as protesting farmers continued to gather at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders of Punjab and Haryana, intending to march towards Delhi to push for the acceptance of their demands. These demands include a law on minimum support price (MSP) for crops and loan waivers.