India
Protesting farmers from Punjab have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri points on the state's border with Haryana since February 13 when their 'Delhi Chalo' march was halted by police.
Updated : Feb 22, 2024, 12:08 AM IST | Edited by : Riddhima Kanetkar
Farmers leaders on Wednesday put the 'Delhi Chalo' march on hold for two days after a protester was reportedly killed and about 12 police personnel injured in clashes at Khanauri, one of the two protest sites on the Punjab-Haryana border. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said they will decide the next course of action on Friday evening.
Farmer leaders have rejected the Centre's proposal of procuring pulses, maize, and cotton at minimum support price (MSP) by government agencies for five years, saying it was not in farmers' interest and announced that they will march towards the national capital today.
Protesting farmers from Punjab have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri points on the state's border with Haryana since February 13 when their 'Delhi Chalo' march was halted by police. The call for the march was given by SKM (Non-Political), a splinter group of the SKM, and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to press farmers' demands.
Internet suspension in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts in the state of Haryana extended up to 23 February. pic.twitter.com/P3GfleOoCB
— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2024
The Haryana police has denied the claims of a farmer’s death at the Khannauri border on Tuesday.
अभी तक की प्राप्त जानकारी के अनुसार आज किसानआंदोलन में किसी भी किसान की मृत्यु नहीं हुई है। यह मात्र एक अफवाह है। दाता सिंह-खनोरी बॉर्डर पर दो पुलिसकर्मियों तथा एक प्रदर्शनकारी के घायल होने की सूचना है जो उपचाराधीन है। @ssk303 @DGPPunjabPolice @cmohry @anilvijminister
— Haryana Police (@police_haryana) February 21, 2024
"We are putting it (Delhi Chalo march) on hold for two days. After reviewing the Khanauri situation, we will take further decisions," says Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee head Sarwan Singh Pandher on the ongoing farmers' protest
“At Data Singh-Khanauri border, protesters surrounded police personnel and set stubble on fire with chilli powder in it. They also pelted stones at police and attacked policemen using sticks and maces. As many as 12 police personnel have suffered serious injuries in this attack. We appeal to protesters to maintain peace and help maintain law and order in the region. This is dangerous for both sides and can result in unforeseen circumstances,” Chaudhary said on alleged scuffle between protesting farmers and Haryana Police.
"We did not send any youth at the front, instead leaders themselves went peacefully. The way they attacked us (with tear gas shells), everyone saw that. We have never refused for talks, but it is not possible to hold discussions in such environment," he said.
VIDEO Here's what farmers' leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said at the Shambhu border, where protesting farmers have been stopped by security forces from marching towards Delhi.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 21, 2024
"We did not send any youth at the front, instead leaders themselves went peacefully. The way they… pic.twitter.com/8KPkGcXCrK
"This movement will continue, a solution can be found only through dialogue... SKM (Samyukt Kisan Morcha) will meet tomorrow and decide what to do," he said.
WATCH | On farmers' protest, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait in UP's Meerut says, "This movement will continue, a solution can be found only through dialogue... SKM (Samyukt Kisan Morcha) will meet tomorrow and decide what to do." pic.twitter.com/u0WSTBVnsW
— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2024
Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda has invited protesting farmers for a fifth round of discussion on all issues including the minimum support price (MSP).
VIDEO Here's what farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said on Agriculture minister Arjun Munda's invite to protesting farmers for a fifth round of discussion on all issues including the minimum support price (MSP).
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 21, 2024
"Let us think over it, we will speak after that… pic.twitter.com/kaJWwj4XVa
On 5th round of talks with farmers, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda says, ".....No information has come yet (from farmers' side). We appeal that we should move forward for talks and present our stand. The government also wants to move forward and find a solution."
On farmers' protest, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "We are supporting them (farmers). We are saying openly that their reasonable demands should be fulfilled. We are going to say this in our election manifesto also that a legal guarantee will be given. All crops cannot be covered but the essential crops should be done (providing MSP)..."
Congress leader Priyank Kharge says, "The central government does not care about the farmers. Just giving Dr MS Swaminathan Bharat Ratna does not mean that they have solved the problems of the farmers. The farmers have welcomed the decision of the Bharat Ratna, but are demanding that the recommendations of Dr. Swaminathan be implemented in letter and spirit. And the government has not even bothered talking to them. The PM has enough time to congratulate celebrities, He has enough time for 'Mann ki Baat' but does not have the time to listen to 'Kisan ki Baat'. The way they have put up blockades on the borders of Delhi goes to show that the government is not willing to farmers and resolve their issues."
"We've decided that no farmer, youth will march forward. Leaders will march ahead. We will go peacefully if …the government attacks us we will be standing there with empty hands..” said farmer Sarwan Singh Pandher as they prepared to march toward Delhi.
VIDEO | Heavy security, barricading at Delhi's Tikri Border in view of farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march.
Shambhu Border: Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal says, "Our intention is not to create any chaos... We have made a programme to reach Delhi since November 7. If the government says that they didn't get enough time this means the government is trying to neglect us... This is not right that such huge barricades are placed to stop us. We want to go to Delhi peacefully. The government should remove the barricades and let us come in... Otherwise, they should fulfill our demands... We are peaceful... If they extend one hand, we will also cooperate... We have to handle the situation with patience... I appeal to the youngsters to not lose control..."
On farmer leaders rejecting the Government's proposal over MSP, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda says, "We want to do good and several opinions can be given for doing so, as we always welcome good opinions... But to find a way on how that opinion will be fruitful, the only way is conversation. Through conversation, a solution will surely come out..."
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher says, "...We have told the govt that you can kill us but please don't oppress the farmers. We request the Prime Minister to come forward and put an end to this protest by announcing a law on the MSP guarantee for the farmers...The country will not forgive such a govt...There are paramilitary forces deployed in the villages of Haryana...What crime have we committed?... We have made you the Prime Minister. We never thought that the forces would oppress us this way...Please protect the Constitution and let us peacefully head towards Delhi. This is our right..."