Farmers' protest highlights: Mahapanchayat to discuss atrocities on farmers

Farmers' protest march updates: Catch all the latest updates on the farmers' protest here

10:46 PM

Farmers fly kites to take on drone dropping tear gas shells on farmers at Shambhu borde

A few young farmers, part of the 'Delhi Chalo' march, on Wednesday took to flying kites hoping to bring down a drone deployed by the Haryana security personnel to drop tear gas shells on protesters at the Shambhu border near Ambala.

 

The protesters were angry over the use of the unmanned aerial vehicle for dropping tear gas canisters, which left many of them injured.

 

"We are flying kites to bring the drone down," said one of the young farmers.

 

Another farmer said, "It's not right hurling tear gas shells on farmers. It is completely wrong."

8:50 PM

'Panchayat' in Muzaffarnagar on Feb 17 to discuss 'atrocities' on farmers: Rakesh Tikait

Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait on Wednesday said a 'mahapanchayat' will be organised on Saturday at Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh to discuss the "atrocities" being committed on the protesting farmers in the country.

 

Farmers and activists of BKU from UP, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Haryana have been exhorted to attend the congregation to be held at the 'Kisan Bhawan' in Sisauli.

 

"All farmers, office bearers and workers of Bharatiya Kisan Union are being informed that as per the decision of the national working committee, a monthly panchayat will be organised on February 17, 2024 at Kisan Bhawan, Sisauli in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, in which the current situation of the country will be discussed. There will be a discussion regarding the atrocities being committed on farmers," Tikait posted on Facebook in Hindi.

8:27 PM

Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh after meeting with injured farmers

“What happened with farmers, is very unfortunate. I have visited (hospitals in) three places as of now and have arranged for the treatment of all injured farmers. Our CM Bhagwant Mann facilitated a meeting of farmers and the Union Ministers, we played our part. Unfortunately, Haryana government has blocked National Highway to stop a peaceful protest.”

8:26 PM

Meeting will be held with Union ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, Nityanand Rai: Farmer leader.

Meeting between farmer leaders and Union ministers on Thursday evening in Chandigarh: Farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal

 

8:10 PM

Delhi Traffic Police says Singhu border on NH-44 is inaccessible for traffic, issues advisory

4:37 PM

LIVE news: I don't think China border is fortified the way Delhi is fortified, says Shashi Tharoor

"It's a democratic right of the farmers to protest and come and be heard in the National capital. I don't think the border with China is fortified the way this city is fortified. The government should have learnt a lesson from the previous farmers' agitation- consult the stakeholders. Last time it took a year-long agitation before the government surrendered and withdrew," Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said today.

4:12 PM

Farmers' protest LIVE updates: Farmers ready for talks, says Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal

Farmers ready for discussion, talks can take place near the border or in Chandigarh, says farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal.

4:04 PM

LIVE news: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh condemns govt for stopping protesting farmers from entering Delhi

Digvijaya Singh, the former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, stating that he disapproves of the measures taken by the government to prevent farmers from travelling to Delhi for the protest.

 

4:00 PM

Two DSPs, around 24 police personnel were injured in stone-pelting on Tuesday: Haryana DGP

"Two DSPs, around 24 police personnel were injured in stone-pelting yesterday. Some farmers were also injured. I appeal to all to follow the law & order. The Ambala-Chandigarh route is affected,"  Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur said today.

2:49 PM

Farmers' protest LIVE updates: Union Minister Arjun Munda asks farmers to seek resolution through dialogue

"I request all the farmer unions that solution to any issue can be found through dialogue and mutual understanding. We would request that such situation, where normal life is disrupted, should not arise," Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda said today.

2:28 PM

LIVE updates: Why is Modi govt running away from giving legal guarantee to MSP, asks Jairam Ramesh

2:26 PM

Farmers' march LIVE news: Farmers' union BKU Ekta Ugrahan calls for rail blockade

Farmer's organisation BKU Ekta Ugrahan will stop railway traffic on February 15 for four hours, from 12 pm to 4 pm in order to express disagreement over actions taken by the government against protesting farmers, according to a report by The Times of India (TOI).

1:44 PM

Centre should fulfil their promise of forming MSP law, says Congress leader Sachin Pilot

"The Congress party has made an official commitment to implement MSP, on the other hand, the Centre, which had committed two years ago that it will form MSP law and now their term is ending, they should have fulfilled their promise. Instead of barricading roads, deploying forces, it would have been better for the government to hold talks with the farmers," Congress leader Sachin Pilot said today.

1:40 PM

Farmers' march LIVE news: Sarwan Singh Pandher addresses farmers at Singhu border

1:36 PM

"It is said that Modi has a big heart. Give us a law to guarantee the MSP," says farmer leader

Farmers will consider any invitation for talks from the Centre over their demands but it should ensure a positive atmosphere for dialogue, Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said today. "It is said that you (Modi) have a big heart. Give us a law to guarantee the MSP," Pandher said. When asked whether farmers have received any invitation for holding talks, he said it was being said that the Centre was inviting farmers for a dialogue. "And we will consider that invitation," he told reporters at the Shambhu border near Ambala.

1:00 PM

Farmers' protest LIVE news: BSP chief Mayawati asks Centre to solve farmers' issues

BSP chief Mayawati urged the Centre to engage in a proper dialogue with the protesting farmers and attempt to solve their problems. Mayawati said in a post on X, "In this regard, instead of being harsh on the protesting farmers under the current 'Delhi Chalo' campaign, it would be better if the central government tries to end their protest by having a proper dialogue with them, and it is also not right to exploit them."

 

12:29 PM

Farmers' protest LIVE news: Samyukta Kisan Morcha writes to PM Modi urging protection of rights of farmer

In the letter, the SKM urged PM Modi to resolve farmers' issue through discussions. The SKM also asked the Centre tonot to treat the people who are forced to come to the street asking for their genuine demands as enemies of the government or the country. The SKM  issued an appeal to all like-minded organisations to come forward to build a united issue-based struggle on common demands.

12:04 PM

Farmers' march LIVE news: Roads being dug up near Singhu border

Roads being dug up at a village near Singhu border as protesting farmers continue their 'Delhi Chalo' march.

12:01 PM

Govt attempting to create a perception about us by giving us tags like Khalistani, pro-left: Farmer leader

"There is an attempt to make a perception about us by giving us tags like Khalistani, pro-left, I want to say we are nothing like that. We have not come here for confrontation with the government," Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told reporters at the Shambhu border.

11:31 AM

LIVE news: Singhu, Tikri borders with Haryana entirely closed, vehicles still allowed at Ghazipur border

After police erected several layers of barricades and stopped the movement of vehicles at the Singhu and Tikri borders, traffic was affected in the border areas of Delhi today. Vehicular movement is still allowed at the Ghazipur border in a regulated manner, while Singhu and Tikri borders with Haryana have been entirely closed for traffic.  A section of a road in a village near the Singhu border was dug up to prevent the farmers' march to Delhi.

11:17 AM

I request the farmers' union to maintain the environment for discussions, says agriculture minister

"We are ready to hold discussions. We need to take into account all the sides and hold the talks. I request the farmers' union to maintain the environment for discussions, " Union Minister Arjun Munda said today.

10:48 AM

Farmers' march LIVE news: Long traffic jams hit the Delhi-Ghaziabad border

The Delhi-Ghaziabad border saw congestion on Wednesday because of the farmers' protest and security checks put in place by the authorities. Rapid Action Force personnel, Police personnel and Riot Control Vehicles are deployed at the Singhu Border in Delhi in view of the farmers' protest.

10:46 AM

Punjab authorities object to Haryana's use of drones to air-drop tear gas shells

Authorities in Punjab have objected the employment of a drone by Haryana to air-drop tear gas shells on protesting farmers in their territory at the Shambhu border.

Punjab's Patiala Deputy Commissioner (DC) Showkat Ahmed Parray wrote to the Ambala Deputy Commissioner, asking him not to send their drone inside Punjab's territory at the Shambhu border near Ambala.

 

10:20 AM

Mobile internet services in several districts of Haryana to remain suspended till February 15

Mobile internet services, bulk SMS and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except the voice calls in the jurisdiction of districts Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa of Haryana State to remain suspended till 15th February.

 

9:48 AM

Farmers' march LIVE: Kisan Morcha condemns police action on farmers; calls for protest on Feb 16 across India

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) criticised the Centre for resorting to what it termed was the excessive use of state power and mass arrests to prevent the Delhi Chalo March of farmers organisations on Tuesday. The SKM stated that it was shocking that drones were employed to drop tear gas shells on the farmers by the administration.

9:43 AM

Farmers' protest LIVE updates: Tight security arrangement continues at Ghazipur border

Security personnel have been deployed in heavy numbers at the Ghazipur bordet, as the farmers' protest enters its second day.

9:39 AM

Day 2 of farmers' Delhi march: National capital remains under tight security as farmer determined to march

Security remained tight today in the national capital with security forces deployed in huge numbers and barricades regulating movement in central Delhi and at border points with Haryana. The traffic movement at Singhu (Delhi-Sonipat) and Tikri borders (Delhi-Bahadurgarh) is suspended, an official said, adding the security personnel in anti-riot gear are deployed and drones being employed to monitor the situation.

9:34 AM

Farmers' protest LIVE: Drone visuals from the Singhu border in Delhi show security arrangements

9:32 AM

Farmers' protest LIVE updates: Punjab govt sounds alert in hospitals near Haryana border

The Punjab government has sounded an alert in hospitals located near the Haryana border in the wake of several protesting farmers getting injured following scuffles with police at Shambhu and Khanauri border.

9:17 AM

LIVE: Protesting farmers gather at Shambhu border to resume stir, tear gas fired

Security forces lobbed some tear gas shells on farmers Wednesday morning at the Shambhu border near Ambala as the farmers gathered there to resume their 'Dilli Chalo' protest, the protestors claimed. The farmers from Punjab plan to make a fresh attempt to make their way past the various layers of barricades at the border with Haryana in attempt to march to Delhi to press for demands.