Bharat Bandh Updates: Farmers to stay put at Punjab-Haryana borders, Delhi Police on high alert

LIVE BLOG

• 16 Feb 2024, 07:11 PM

  The live blog is now closed, thank you for joining us. Here are the updates for February 16:

  
• 16 Feb 2024, 06:43 PM

  Here’s what BKU (Charuni) leader Gurnam Singh Charuni said on the participation of Haryana farmers in the ongoing farmer agitation. 

  “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.”

  February 16, 2024

  
• 16 Feb 2024, 06:00 PM

  When asked about plans to go to Delhi, Tikait said, 'a meeting is scheduled in Sisauli (Muzaffaranagar) on Saturday, where we will strategise for the future course of action.'

  
• 16 Feb 2024, 04:46 PM

  Saini Majra Toll on the Ambala-Kaithal Highway freed by farmers for three hours as part of their protest against the central government. (PTI)

  
• 16 Feb 2024, 03:21 PM

  Prior to their protest in favour of farmers' demands at Lal Chowk on Friday, fifty trade union leaders and activists were taken into custody by the Srinagar police, PTI reported. This follows the long-awaited Gramin Bharat Bandh, which was initiated by central trade unions and a breakaway faction of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM). As they assembled for protests, the leaders and activists were apprehended by police close to Pratap Park on Residency Road. They were then transported to Kothibagh police station, PTI quoted officials as saying.

  
• 16 Feb 2024, 03:16 PM

  "The road has not been blocked, the route has been diverted. This (Grameen Bharat Bandh call) will continue till 2-3 pm. Tomorrow, monthly panchayat is in Sisoli (village in UP's Meerut) where the future course of action will be decided," says farmer leader Rakesh Tikait in Muzaffarnagar.

  February 16, 2024

  
• 16 Feb 2024, 02:34 PM

  Shops and several establishments in Punjab and Haryana closed, and bus drivers have gone on strike to show solidarity with the farmers.

  
• 16 Feb 2024, 02:32 PM

  "If the INDIA bloc comes to power after the general elections, we will give a legal guarantee to MSP. Whenever farmers have asked for something from the Congress, it has been given to them. Be it loan waiver or MSP, we have always protected the interests of cultivators and will do so in future," Congress leader Gandhi said.

  
• 16 Feb 2024, 02:31 PM

  The Delhi Police is on high alert and security has been tightened in view of the 'Bharat Bandh' call given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), officials said on Friday.

  
• 16 Feb 2024, 02:30 PM

  Protesting farmers will stay put at the two borders of Punjab and Haryana over their various demands as the deadlock persisted despite the third round of talks.

  
• 16 Feb 2024, 11:41 AM

  Farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march: Heavy security deployment continues at Singhu Border.

  February 16, 2024

  
• 16 Feb 2024, 10:35 AM

  Amid a third round of talks with the central government ending in a stalemate, the General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Sarwan Singh Pandher on Friday urged an intervention on the part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the farmers' issues adding that they would like to solve the issues 'amicably'. Addressing a press conference on Friday, the farmer leader raised concerns over the central government's use of para-military forces to resist the farmers that have left hundreds injured.

  
• 16 Feb 2024, 09:25 AM

  Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni, the national president of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU)-Charuni in Haryana, said on Thursday that farmers will take control of all toll plazas in the state from 12 pm to 3 pm today to protest the police action against the farmers who have gathered along Punjab borders.

  
• 16 Feb 2024, 08:26 AM

  Farmers are planning massive chakka jams on main roads from 12 pm to 4 pm. Routes in Punjab are set to be affected for four hours, causing potential traffic diversions and delays.

  
• 16 Feb 2024, 07:19 AM

  After the meeting between the central government and the farmer unions concluded, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal says, "The protest will continue peacefully... We will not do anything else. We will appeal to the farmers too. When meetings are underway and we move forward (at the borders), then how will the meetings continue. They (Government) have called for a meeting, we will wait till then... On Sunday if we do not get any positive result, then (we will continue)..."

  #WATCH | Chandigarh: After the meeting between the central government and the farmer unions concluded, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal says, "The protest will continue peacefully... We will not do anything else. We will appeal to the farmers too. When meetings are underway… pic.twitter.com/YJOZIZ8Nlm

  — ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2024

  
• 16 Feb 2024, 07:01 AM

  The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police said restrictions under CrPC Section 144, including a ban on unauthorised public assemblies, would be enforced across the district given Bharat Bandh called by farmers' unions on Friday.

  The police have told commuters going and coming back to and from Delhi of traffic diversions in Noida and urged citizens to opt for the metro rail service to avoid inconvenience.