Farmers Protest LIVE Updates: Tear gas shells were used against farmers on Wednesday, 14 February, at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border as they were approaching the police barricades amid the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest march.
Meanwhile, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said that farmer leaders have agreed to hold talks with the Centre regarding their demands.
Farmers' unions had begun their protest march on Tuesday to press their demands regarding the Minimum Support Price (MSP), justice for Lakhimpur Kheri violence, loan waivers, and other issues.
Here's a look at the 12 key demands of the protesting farmers.
Multi-layered barricading installed at Ghazipur border in view of farmers Delhi Chalo march.
(Photo: PTI)
Samyukta Kisan Morcha leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said that over 200 farmers' unions are taking part in the 'Delhi Chalo' protest march.
Most of the protesting farmers hail from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Police are allegedly using force against the protesting farmers by firing tear gas shells, rubber bullets, water cannons, etc.
Farmers are using makeshift arrangements such as shields made of road signs, applying wet packs, and multani mitti coating to protect themselves.
Internet and SMS services have been shut down in various parts of Haryana in view of the farmers' protest.
The social media accounts of several farmer union leaders and farmer organisations have been blocked upon government request.
The Congress has assured a legal guarantee on MSP if the party is re-elected to power at the Centre.
The Delhi Police has banned large gatherings across the city till 12 March and issued a traffic advisory, warning of disruptions in vehicular movement.
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'Demands Are Same': Farmers' Protest Leader
“Our demands are same as per the ‘demand chart’ we presented earlier. No new demand has been added. After the failure of the last meeting, the government calling for a meeting again reflects that they have found some positive solution," was quoted as saying by news agency PTI ahead of the third meeting with Union ministers on Thursday, 15 February.
Third Round of Talks Tomorrow
Third round of talks between farmers and government to take place on Thursday, 14 February, in Chandigarh. Meanwhile, protesters will continue agitation at Shambhu Border till then.
'Hypocrisy': Jairam Ramesh Condemns Centre
Meanwhile, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh slammed the government and called it a hypocrite for not implementing Swaminathan Committee report.
"When this government brought those three black laws for the farmers, questions arose as to what was the need. Those three laws would have privatised our agriculture sector... The Swaminathan Committee report said that the MSP should be 1.5 times the detailed cost of production. He gave the Bharat Ratna to MS Swaminathan and also Chaudhary Charan Singh, all this is a hypocrisy," Ramesh said.
'Stubbornness of Central Govt': Congress' Sachin Pilot
"Farmers are protesting due to the stubbornness of the central government, which has not been able to solve their issues," Congress leader Sachin Pilot was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Farmers are not getting reasonable prices for their crops and the Congress party will provide a legal guarantee for minimum support price if INDIA bloc comes to power after the Lok Sabha elections, Pilot reportedly added.