LIVE: Punjab CM calls all-party meet on Feb 2 to discuss farmers' agitation

Farmers' protest LIVE updates: Prime Minister Modi tells political parties that his government is trying to resolve the issues raised by farmers.

1:04 AM

Thousands converge for third 'mahapanchayat' in western UP, resolve to support stir over farm laws

The ripples of farmers' protest against the new agri laws on Delhi's borders spread further in western Uttar Pradesh with thousands of people converging for a 'mahapanchayat' on Sunday in Baghpat, the third such congregation in the region in as many days which resolved to lend support to the ongoing peasants' stir.
 

The 'sarv khap mahapanchayat'  took place at the Tehsil ground here with farmers pouring in from nearby districts as well in tractor-trollies, many of which are decked up with music systems, the tricolour and farmer unions' flags.
 

This is the third 'mahapanchayat' of farmers in the region after a massive congregation in Muzaffarnagar on Friday and in Mathura on Saturday, both resolving to support the ongoing BKU-led protest at the Ghazipur border against the three new farm laws.
 

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rajendra Chaudhary told the crowd the movement has to be continued with full strength.
 

The 'mahapanchayat' is also deliberating on the January 26 police action against farmers protesting in Baghpat district against the new central farm laws, a local Baraut resident, who attended the event, told PTI.
 

1:03 AM

Took political support for farmers' movement only after democracy was mocked: Rakesh Tikait

The Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) had not allowed political parties in the movement against new central farm laws but took political support "only after democracy was mocked" at protest sites, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait said Sunday.
 

Tikait made the remark as hundreds of farmers reached a key protest site on the Delhi-Meerut highway in Ghazipur on the national capital's border with Uttar Pradesh where they danced to upbeat tunes, creating a festive atmosphere as more supporters continued to pour in.

Security measures were strengthened with multi-layer barricading that included iron and concrete structures, while barbed wires also came up on both sides of the highway stretch that has become the BKU's camping site since November 28 last year in a major farmers' stir over three new farm laws of the Centre.

 

Farmers reached the Ghazipur border from western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand as a turban-clad Rakesh Tikait led the charge for the BKU, the appeal of which coupled with a clarion call from a January 29 "mahapanchayat" of farmers in Muzaffarnagar has re-energised the stir, which was fast losing its sheen and momentum after the Republic Day violence in Delhi.
 

In response to a question, Tikait said, “the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) had not allowed political parties to enter the movement because our movement is apolitical. Support from political parties was taken only after democracy was mocked over the protests. But still, politicians are kept away from the stage of farmers' protest.”    

1:02 AM

UP police issues notice to 220 tractor owners; Opposition says move to threaten farmers

Around 200 tractor owners have been issued notices by the Uttar Pradesh police, prompting senior SP leader Ram Govind Chaudhary to allege that the move was meant to threaten the farmers.
 

The police, however, stated that the notices have nothing to do with the farmers' protest against the Centre's new agriculture laws.
 

"Notices have been served to 220 owners of tractors in the Sikandarpur police station area. In the notice, it has been mentioned that the tractors were used on public roads for commercial work, and minors were driving them. As a result of this, there were road accidents. The tractors were also used in illegal mining,” Bal Mukund Mishra, SHO, Sikandarpur police station told PTI.
 

Asked if the police can issue such a notice, Regional Transport Officer Rajeshwar Yadav said he was not aware of any such thing.
 

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Ram Govind Chaudhary said police are trying to threaten the farmers.
 

8:50 PM

AAP's demand for police protection for farmers nothing more than 'dramebaazi': Amarinder Singh

Aam Aadmi Party's demand for deployment of the state police to protect the agitating farmers from Punjab at Delhi borders is "nothing more than dramebaazi", said Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday.

Trashing the AAP's demand as "arbitrary, absurd and irrational," Singh in a press release said, "Arvind Kejriwal's party has clearly lost all sense of Constitutional and legal propriety, and was completely ignorant even on the law laid down by the highest court of the land."

This demand is not only completely illogical and frivolous but against all principles and rules of the law, said the Chief Minister, reacting to a letter received by his office from AAP.

Mocking AAP's senseless demand, Singh pointed out that, as per a Union Home Ministry directive and a Supreme Court order, the Punjab Police cannot stay in another state for more than 72 hours even for a protectee, which the farmers are in any case not, the release reads.

8:09 PM

Farmers protest: Despite increasing number of barricades thousands converge at Ghazipur

Despite an increasing number of barricades, thousands of farmers have been converging at Ghazipur on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border following a tearful Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait's impassioned appeal to protesters to bolster the stir.

The tide of the over two-month protest against the farm laws, which had lost its sheen after the violence in Delhi during the tractors parade on Republic day, appears to have regained momentum as is evident from the increased number of tents set up at the protest site.

Many protesters waited for hours to talk to Tikait or take a selfie with him as the farmer leader remained busy meeting his supporters and talking to the media.

A Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) member said Tikait has been sleeping only for around three hours a day for the last three days. "He had complained of blood pressure issues, but is doing fine now," the member said.

7:36 PM

Will hold talks with govt after our people are released: Rakesh Tikait

There will not be any agreement under pressure. We will hold discussions on the farm law issue only after our people to be released from the jail, said Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday.

 

While speaking to ANI, he said that since Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken the initiative for a result, we will keep his respect.

 

"There won't be any agreement under pressure. We will hold discussions on the issue. Prime Minister is ours also, we are thankful for his initiative, we will respect it. We want our people to be released," Tikait said.

 

Talking about the Red Fort violence on Republic Day, Tikait said that the matter has to be investigated fairly.

6:23 PM

Singhu locals divided over farmers' agitation

It has been more than two months since the ongoing farmer protests began at the Delhi borders over the contentious farm laws. However, there has been a major turnaround in the situation at the borders since the January 26 violence.

The views of the people of Singhu village adjacent to the border may be divided over the farmers' movement but they are bearing the brunt and have been inconvenienced due to the closure of roads across the village.

Nearly 20,000 people live in Singhu village, some of whom have their own houses while most people in this village live on rent.

Due to the farmers' agitation at the border, the Delhi-Karnal road is closed and the main road connecting the highway to the village has also been closed due to security reasons. Due to this the people of the village are very upset.

5:26 PM

AAP asks Punjab CM to deploy state police for security of farmers protesting on Delhi borders

The Aam Aadmi Party Sunday asked Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to deploy the state police for the security of farmers protesting at Delhi borders against the three new Central laws.

In a letter to Singh on Sunday, AAP spokesperson Raghav Chadhasaid thePunjab Police must provide protection to farmers so that no harm is done to them and they can continue to protest against the "black farm laws" in a peaceful manner.

"The Aam Aadmi Party demands that you deploy Punjab Police in sufficient numbers to surround the camps where the peaceful protests are being held from all sides," Chadha said.

5:25 PM

AAP asks Punjab CM to deploy state police for security of farmers protesting on Delhi borders

The Aam Aadmi Party Sunday asked Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to deploy the state police for the security of farmers protesting at Delhi borders against the three new Central laws.

In a letter to Singh on Sunday, AAP spokesperson Raghav Chadhasaid thePunjab Police must provide protection to farmers so that no harm is done to them and they can continue to protest against the "black farm laws" in a peaceful manner.

"The Aam Aadmi Party demands that you deploy Punjab Police in sufficient numbers to surround the camps where the peaceful protests are being held from all sides," Chadha said.

4:59 PM

Farmers deeply hurt by BJP's moves to defame them: Akhilesh

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said the farmers were deeply hurt by the moves made by the BJP to defame them. He also alleged that the BJP has tortured common people.

"The farmers are feeling deeply hurt because of the moves made by the BJP to defame them. The BJP has enacted demonetisation, GST, labour laws and farm laws to give benefits only to the billionaires. The BJP has tortured the common people," the Samajwadi Party chief said in a tweet in Hindi.

4:40 PM

Delhi CM Kejriwal reiterates support to farmers' protest

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday reiterated his support to the farmers protesting the Centre's new agri laws and said he will offer any help possible to them.

The Delhi government has been vocal about its support to the farmers' protest going on for the last two months. The chief minister and his cabinet colleagues have also remained critical of the new farm laws.

Responding to a tweet by farmer leader Naresh Tikait, Kejriwal said,"Naresh ji. You people are struggling so much. I will help in every way through my party and my government."

Tikait in a tweet had earlier thanked Kejriwal for providing basic facilities at the Gazipur protest site.

3:43 PM

Punjab CM calls all-party meet on Feb 2 to discuss farmers' stir

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday called an all-party meeting on February 2 to discuss the farmers' agitation against agricultural laws in the light of the recent developments in the national capital.

The meeting will be held at 11 am in Punjab Bhawan, an official spokesperson said. The leaders will discuss the situation arising out of the recent developments in the ongoing farmers' agitation in Delhi, "especially in view of the Republic Day violence, the Singhu border attack on farmers, and the massive vilification campaign against them".

Urging all parties to join the meeting in a spirit of unity, in support of the farmers and in the interest of Punjab, the Chief Minister said the crisis triggered by the farm laws was a matter of concern for the entire state and its people. "Only through collective efforts of all Punjabis, and all the political parties of the state, can the crisis be tackled effectively and the farmers' interests be protected," he added.

3:43 PM

Punjab CM calls all-party meet on Feb 2 to discuss farmers' stir

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday called an all-party meeting on February 2 to discuss the farmers' agitation against agricultural laws in the light of the recent developments in the national capital.

The meeting will be held at 11 am in Punjab Bhawan, an official spokesperson said. The leaders will discuss the situation arising out of the recent developments in the ongoing farmers' agitation in Delhi, "especially in view of the Republic Day violence, the Singhu border attack on farmers, and the massive vilification campaign against them".

Urging all parties to join the meeting in a spirit of unity, in support of the farmers and in the interest of Punjab, the Chief Minister said the crisis triggered by the farm laws was a matter of concern for the entire state and its people. "Only through collective efforts of all Punjabis, and all the political parties of the state, can the crisis be tackled effectively and the farmers' interests be protected," he added.

3:13 PM

Farmers' protest continues amid tight security

Heightened security deployment has continued at the Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) as farmers' protest against three agriculture laws entered the 67th day on Sunday.

While the protest at Ghazipur border by the farmers (Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border) has entered Day 65. Security has been beefed up as more farmers are coming to the protest site for the past two-three days.

"Government is changing the goal-post. It is a bad thing. They are not taking any decision. The government should repeal the laws. It will be better for the farmers and the government," Shyam, a protesting farmer at Ghazipur border told ANI.

Another farmer Ram Beer Singh said, "We will not accept the proposal. We will continue to protest. We have not done anything bad and we want the repeal of the laws."

2:28 PM

'Farmers beaten up': Shiv Sena slams Centre for imposing 'BJP's democrazy'

Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Sunday attacked the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and said that "farmers beaten up, journalists jailed, protests discredited" is 'BJP's democrazy'.

 

"Farmers being beaten up, honest journalists being jailed, genuine protests being discredited, arrogance of those in positions of power at its peak.

 

This isn't democracy but BJP's democrazy," tweeted Chaturvedi on Sunday.

2:00 PM

India pained by 'insult to tricolour' on R-Day: Modi on farmer protests

India was "deeply anguished" by the insult to the national flag on Republic Day last week, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, referring to farmers breaching the Red Fort in Delhi during protests against three agriculture laws.

 

Modi, in his monthly radio speech 'Mann Ki Baat', spoke about protesters hoisting flags at the Fort after hundreds of them deviated from agreed routes and breached the heart of Delhi. Farmers commandeered cranes and used ropes to tear down roadblocks miles from routes approved by the police, forcing the police in riot gear to fall back and let them pass during Republic Day celebrations.

 

1:25 PM

Farmers want respectful solution: Naresh Tikait

“A respectful solution should be reached. We will never agree to anything under pressure,” farmer leader Naresh Tikait tells PTI. “We will honor and respect the dignity of prime minister. Farmers don't want that the government or Parliament bows down to them," he says at the Ghazipur border between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

1:14 PM

Govt should release farmers: Naresh Tikait

"The government should release our men and prepare a platform for talks; hoping that a middle way is found," Naresh Tikait, a leader of the farmer protests, is quoted as saying by PTI. 

9:50 AM

Gurjar leaders accuses BJP MLA of violence

Madan Bhaiyya, a leader of the Gurjar community in western Uttar Pradesh, has said he supports the Bharatiya Kisan Union in its protest against the three farm laws. "The ruckus created by one anti-national element has embarrassed the whole country and because of this the protesting farmers felt discouraged and demotivated despite being innocent," he said about the violence during protests on January 26. Bhaiyya was referring to Nand Kishor Gurjar, a BJP legislator in Uttar Pradesh assembly whom farmers blame for violence at Ghazipur on January 26.

8:33 AM

Delhi Police file 38 cases for violence on Jan. 26

Police in Delhi have registered 38 FIRs—the official term for a case--and arrested 84 people for violence during farmers' tractor rally on Republic Day, Hindustan Times reported. The police has received 1,700 mobile clips and security camera footage from the public in connection with the violence.

8:15 AM

Famers protests peaceful, says Union leader

Balbir Singh Rajewal, a union leader, said on Saturday that there was a “conspiracy” to provoke the farmers protesting at the Singhu border. “We have been holding a peaceful agitation at Delhi’s borders. The agitation is peaceful today as well,” Rajewal, president of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal), told reporters.

8:12 AM

One more case against Tharoor, journalits

One more police case has been filed against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and journalists including Rajdeep Sardesai, this time in Delhi, for their posts on social media and comments on the violence that broke out during a tractor rally by farmers on Republic Day, NDTV.com reported. The other journalists named in the Delhi Police FIR are Mrinal Pande, Paresh Nath, Anant Nath and Vinod K Jose. The Uttar Pradesh Police was the first to file an FIR in Noida that includes charges for alleged sedition, followed by a similar case filed by the police in Madhya Pradesh. 

 

8:44 PM

Farmers' protest: Mumbai Press Club condemns FIRs against journalists

The Mumbai Press Clubon Saturday condemned the registration of multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) against journalists over the coverage of farmers' tractor rally in Delhi on Republic Day, according to PTI. Filing of cases against journalists shows the government's growing intolerance for those who differ with it, it said.

FIRs have been filed in Delhi as well in as some BJP- ruled states including Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh against journalists Rajdeep Sardesai, Mrinal Pande and others regarding their coverage of the rally or their comments on it. The tractor rally undertaken by farmers who have been protesting against the new farm laws of the Union government had turned violent. PTI quoting a statement said, the Mumbai Press Club, a journalists' body, said the events during the rally were chaotic and information was not available easily.

There was a clear "intelligence lapse" on the part of the Delhi Police which had lost control of the situation, the Press Club said. "In these circumstances, to pin blame on the journalists for being responsible for the violence and disruption, is reprehensible," it said.

8:19 PM

Shivraj Singh Chouhan transfers Rs 400 cr to farmers' accounts under CM Kisan Kalyan Yojana

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday transferred an amount of Rs 400 crore to the accounts of 20 lakh farmers of the state under CM Kisan Kalyan Yojana, according to PTI. "I am grateful to the people of Sagar for having given us a record mandate. I want to assure them that their trust will never be violated, even at the cost of our lives," said Chouhan while addressing a public rally in Sagar.

"Madhya Pradesh's development was hampered for around 1.5 years (during previous government's tenure), which has now resumed again. Rs 400 crore has been transferred to the accounts of 20 lakh farmers today. In February and March Rs 400 crore will again be transferred to farmers' accounts," he added. Madhya Pradesh CM further stated now every farmer of the state gets Rs 10,000 per year. "Treatment of underprivileged people up to Rs 5 lakh will be done under Ayushman Yojana, not only in government but also in private hospitals. We have carried out the work of making the Ayushman Card of two crore citizens of the state," said Chouhan.

7:49 PM

Congress MP Partap Singh Bajwa urges CM to use resources to find missing farmers

Congress MP Partap Singh Bajwa on Saturday urged Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to use all available sources to trace over 100 farmers who have been missing since January 26 tractor rally in Delhi, according to PTI. Citing some media reports, Bajwa wrote to Amarinder Singh, saying over 100 farmers from the state have been missing since the incidents that occurred on January 26 in Delhi. There has been no word to the families regarding their status or present conditions, claimed the Rajya Sabha MP.

I urge you to use all resources available to the government of Punjab to trace these farmers and ensure their return, wrote Bajwa, PTI quoted. It is extremely worrying that Punjabi farmers have been detained with no information being shared with their families or lawyers, he added in his letter. Citing the stone-pelting incident at Delhi's Singhu border on Friday, Bajwa, in a statement here, also urged the CM to deploy the Punjab police personnel for the safety of protesting farmers at protest sites.

We all witnessed the violence that was unleashed against protesting farmers at the Singhu border. It is quite clear that our farmers are under threat from various groups who wish to malign their peaceful protests, he claimed.

7:48 PM

At all-party meeting, TMC requests govt to repeal farm laws

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday appealed to the government to withdraw the three contentious farm laws at an all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the smooth conduct of the Budget Session of Parliament, according to PTI. According to PTI sources, TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay told the meeting that the prime minister must convene an all-party meeting for a threadbare discussion on the farmer issue.

"This will send a good message that the government is democratic. Twenty opposition parties boycotted the President's address (to the joint sitting of Parliament) which sent out a strong message for the government to withdraw the farm laws. Majoritarianism cannot let farmers suffer," a source quoted the TMC MP as having told the meeting. Thousands of farmers have been protesting at Delhi's borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh demanding the rollback of the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. The protest took a violent turn during the farmers' tractor rally on January 26.

6:31 PM

38 FIRs registered, 84 people arrested in connection with tractor rally violence: Delhi Police

Total 38 FIRs registered and 84 people arrested so far in connection with 26th January violence: Delhi Police

5:45 PM

Tractor rally violence on Jan 26 scripted by BJP with help of Delhi Police: AAP

AAP claims that violence that took place during tractor parade on January 26 was scripted by BJP with help of Delhi Police to 'defame and discredit' farmers' movement, according to PTI.

5:17 PM

Three contentious farm laws will affect MSP, weaken mandi system: Sharad Pawar

Raising concerns over the three new farm laws, NCP President Sharad Pawar on Saturday said the legislation will adversely affect theMinimum Support Price (MSP) and weaken the mandi system, according to PTI. Pawar said he virtually participated in the all-party meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which issues related to the proposed agenda for the Budget session, farmers' agitation, women's bill and other important issues were discussed. The farmers have been seeking repeal of three farm bills: Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020; and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

As per PTI, Pawar said the new laws will adversely impact the MSP procurement infrastructure thereby weakening the mandi system. MSP mechanism has to be ensured and strengthened further, he added. "Reform is a continuous process and no one would argue against the reforms in the APMCs or Mandi System, a positive argument on the same does not mean that it is done to weaken or demolish the system," Pawar tweeted. "During my tenure, the draft APMC Rules - 2007 were framed for the setting up of special markets thereby providing alternate platforms for farmers to market their commodities and utmost care was also taken to strengthen the existing Mandi system," he tweeted.

4:11 PM

At all party meet, Opposition takes up issue of farmers agitation with PM, seeks debate

Opposition parties on Saturday demanded an extensive debate on the farmers' agitation as a consequence of farm laws, according to PTI. The demand was made at the all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi where he assured them that the government was willing to discuss all agriculture-related issues with the opposition and sought their cooperation in running the parliament smoothly.
 

According to PTI, Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad, Trinamool Congress' Sudip Bandopadhyay, Aam Aadmi Party's Bhagwant Mann, Vinayak Raut from the Shivsena and Balwinder Singh Bhunder from the Shiromani Akali Dal spoke at length on farmers' agitation and sought the government's assurance that it would discuss all contentious issues related to the new laws. They also reportedly asked the government not to see them as enemies.

Azad reportedly said in the meeting that Congress has already warned the government about the agitation and now the government has to deal with the consequences, PTI informed.