Farmers' protest highlights: CrPC 144 in Noida on Feb 16 for Bharat Bandh

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

9:22 PM

Noida Police to invoke CrPC 144 on Friday due to 'Bharat Bandh'

The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police on Thursday said restrictions under CrPC section 144, including a ban on unauthorised public assemblies, would be enforced across the district on February 16.

 

The decision has been taken in view of proposed protest marches called by the farmers' body Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and other unions.

 

The Bharatiya Kisan Union, part of SKM, had earlier called for a 'Bharat Bandh' on February 16, citing a host of unmet demands of farmers.

 

"Various programs like protest demonstrations, etc are proposed by SKM and various organisations for Friday. Hence, Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) is implemented on February 16," the police said in a statement.

 

According to the order, unlawful assembly of five or more people, unauthorised processions or demonstrations, including those political or religious, are prohibited.

 

The order also bars the use of private drones in a radius of 1 km of government establishments and also bans people from carrying sticks, rods, tridents, swords, firearms etc in public places.

9:15 PM

Farmers' protest politically motivated, claims MoS for Farmers' Welfare Shobha Karandlaje

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shobha Karandlaje on Thursday characterised the ongoing farmers' protest in Delhi as politically motivated.

 

Addressing reporters in Udupi, she said the M S Swaminathan committee had given 207 recommendations in its report, which was kept in "deep cold storage" by the UPA government. She claimed that all the recommendations were addressed by the Narendra Modi government alone, and minimum support price (MSP) was one among them.

 

"The government is now providing MSP for 22 crops. The ongoing agitation when elections are drawing near is a political protest in the name of farmers," she alleged.

 

"This is part of a conspiracy by a few organisations and international movements," she further claimed, adding that the government is prepared to hold talks with the farmers.

8:19 PM

PUCL condemns govt's measures against protesting farmers

The People's Union for Civil Liberties on Thursday condemned the government's measures against the protesting farmers, saying they have a right to resume their agitation after the Centre reneged on its promises it made in 2020-21.
 

In a statement, the PUCL said the 2020-21 protest saw participation of thousands of farmers and workers unions, even in adverse weather conditions, which resulted in the death of more than 700 farmers.
 

"The Modi-government has failed to comply with the public assurances given to the farmers based on which they had called off the struggle in 2021," it said.

The PUCL said the farmers are exercising their fundamental rights in demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), full waiver of farmers' debts, pension, and withdrawal of cases filed in 2020-21 against the protesting farmers.

8:18 PM

'Delhi Chalo' march: Farmers 'hell bent' on stopping lifeline of northern states, says Haryana govt

Farmers' unions are "hell bent" on stopping the lifeline of northern states and their movement has instilled a "sense of fear" among the people of the state, the Haryana government submitted before the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday.
 

The submission was filed in an affidavit before a division bench of Acting Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Vikas Suri.

7:41 PM

Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni announces three key decisions amid unrest

 Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni on Thursday announced three key decisions of the protesting farmers. He further said, "Three decisions were taken today, first one is, we will keep Haryana toll free for 3 hours tomorrow, from 12pm-3pm...day after tomorrow, there will be a tractor parade in every Tehsil, from 12 pm...on 18th February, there will be a joint meeting of all farmers' and labour organisations...further decisions will be taken in that meeting."

Farmers commenced their 'rail roko' andolan on Thursday. The farmers blocked the railway tracks as a part of their protest. A trio of Union ministers is scheduled to convene once more with protesting farmers and farmer leaders to address their array of concerns on Thursday evening in Chandigarh, according to farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal.

7:40 PM

Farmers marching to Delhi like Army on offensive, we have objection to their method: Haryana CM

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday criticised the "method" adopted by Punjab farmers to press their demands, suggesting that they were attempting to march to Delhi like an army on the offensive.

 

"The Punjab government could have stopped farmers. If they did not stop, then there must be some understanding there and 'Delhi wale' say they are with the farmers' movement," Khattar said, in an apparent reference to the Aam Aadmi Party.

 

"It is not right to comment but their (farmers') behaviour suggests that they have some kind of support," he added while responding to a question on AAP's involvement in the farmer's 'Delhi Chalo' call.

 

Supporting farmers' demand is one thing but favouring this kind of agitation "sends the wrong message", the chief minister said.

7:03 PM

Farmers' protest: Commuters inconvenienced as Singhu border remains closed for traffic

Carrying luggage, while accompanying their little children, several commuters faced difficulties as the Singhu border remained closed for traffic for the third consecutive day on Thursday in view of the farmers' protest.

 

Some people also had to cross the Delhi-Haryana border on foot while carrying their little children in arms.

 

Sagar Singh, who was coming from Panipat and going towards Bawana, said, "I am going to see my ailing mother-in-law in Bawana. I am planning to stay back so that I can be available for help if she needs me. The current situation is not conducive to travelling at night or even otherwise."

5:03 PM

Protesting farmers fighting for nation: Rahul Gandhi

Protesting farmers fighting for nation, just like soldiers do on borders, said Rahul Gandhi in Bihar's Aurangabad.

 

4:57 PM

Farmers' protest news updates: Board exams held hassle-free despite high security measures at Tikri border

Board exams were held hassle-free and no delay was reported in the conduct of examination, despite enhanced security norms at the Tikri border in view of the farmers' protest. Vehicles were arranged by the police and paramilitary officials to help students reach their respective centres near the Tikri border.

4:55 PM

BJP running a "government of Ravan" at Centre: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on farmers' protest

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Thursday criticised the BJP over the ongoing farmers' protest, claiming that the party is running a "government of Ravan" at the Centre, which has crossed all limits of civility.

 

"Farmers are protesting and the country is burning. But the BJP is not bothered. It is the government of Ravan, which has crossed all Lakshman Rekhas. The day farmers reach Delhi, the BJP leaders will understand the reality," she said.

4:53 PM

Farmers' protest news: Trains diverted as farmers squat on tracks in Punjab

Some trains on the Delhi-Amritsar route were diverted today as  protesting farmers squatted on tracks at many places in Punjab over the Haryana Police's action against 'Delhi Chalo' protesters. As farmers are sitting on the railway tracks at several places on the main Delhi- Amritsar route, railway officals diverted the routes of the trains via Chandigarh (for Delhi side) and Lohian Khas (for Amritsar and Jalandhar side). A spokesperson of Indian Railways said Shatabdi and Shan-e-Punjab Express trains coming from Delhi were terminated at the Ludhiana railway station.

4:50 PM

Farmers' protest news updates: Internet services suspended in parts of Punjab till Feb 16

In the wake of the farmer's protest, internet services have been suspended in certain areas of Punjab's Patiala, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib districts till February 16 on the orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Internet services will remain suspended in areas falling under police stations Shatrana, Samana, Ghanaour, Devigarh and Balbhera in Patiala, areas under police stations Khanauri, Moonak, Lehra, Sunam, Chajli in Sangrur and area under Fatehgarh Sahib police station.

 

 

4:32 PM

Party stands firm with the peaceful protest of farmers: Congress leader on farmers' protest

Rajasthan Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra, on farmers' protest, said, "Our leader Rahul Gandhi and also the national President Mallikarjun Kharge have very clearly and categorically said that if Congress will come to power we'll give legal status to guarantee the MSP... Congress stands firm with the peaceful protest of farmers."

4:17 PM

'Delhi chalo' march LIVE news: Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni announces three key decisions

On farmers' protest march, farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni said, "Three decisions were taken today, first one is, we will keep Haryana toll free for 3 hours tomorrow, from 12pm-3pm...day after tomorrow, there will be a tractor parade in every Tehsil, from 12 pm...on 18th February, there will be a joint meeting of all farmers' and labour organisations...further decisions will be taken in that meeting."

3:47 PM

Farmers' protest LIVE updates: Protesting farmers block railway tracks, toll plazas in Punjab

Protesting farmers began their 'rail roko' andolan on Thursday. The protestors blocked the railway tracks and toll plazas as a part of their protest.

1:56 PM

Will the people stop supporting PM Modi if such a huge protest is organised?: Haryana CM

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, on farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's, "we have to bring graph of PM Modi down" remark, said "This is a political statement. Will the people stop supporting PM Modi if such a huge protest is organised? A message is getting circulated in the public that this is not the right way to protest."

1:53 PM

Making MSP a legal obligation can create complexities: Agricultural economist Ashok Gulati

"Making MSP a legal obligation can create complexities. The best way forward could be to give some protection from market risk to the farmers," says Ashok Gulati, agricultural economist  and professor at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) 

1:50 PM

Farmers' protest LIVE updates: Rail services affected due to farmers' protest

The rail traffic on the Ambala division of the Northern Railway has been affected due to the farmers' protest, an official said.

 

According to Captain Shashi Kiran, the Chief Public Relations Officer of North Western Railway, the following rail services will be impacted due to the farmers' protest:

 

Cancelled Rail Services (from the originating station):

 

-Train number 04753, Bathinda-Shri Ganganagar service, will be cancelled on February 15.Train number 04756, Shri Ganganagar-Bathinda service, will be cancelled on February 15.Partially Cancelled Rail Services (from the originating station):

 

-Train number 14736, Ambala-Shri Ganganagar service, which was supposed to depart from Ambala on February 15, will only run up to Bathinda, meaning it will be cancelled between Bathinda and Shri Ganganagar.

 

-Train number 14735, Shri Ganganagar-Ambala service, will depart from Bathinda on February 15, meaning it will be cancelled between Shri Ganganagar and Bathinda.

 

-Route Altered Rail Service: Train number 19612, Amritsar-Ajmer Express, will be operated via a changed route through Tarn Taran Jn.-Beas on February 15, 2024.

1:48 PM

PM Modi should speak to 3 Union ministers to resolve farmers' demands, says farmer leader

In order to resolve farmers' issues, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Thursday said the prime minister should speak to the three visiting Union ministers who will engage in talks with the farmers. Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai will talk with farmer leaders at 5:00 pm here over their demands,

12:51 PM

Farmers' protest LIVE updates: Farmers announce 'Bharat bandh' on February 16

Amid the farmers' struggle for the implementation of minimum support price (MSP) laws and other agricultural reforms, the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukat Kisna have jointly called for a Bharat Bandh on February 16, 2024. This bandh will seek to draw attention to various issues affecting farmers and workers across the country.

12:35 PM

Why is Delhi like a war zone?: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin slams BJP govt's handling of farmers' protest

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin today slammed the centre regarding the security arrangements in Delhi to discourage the Punjab farmers' protest. Stalin criticised the central government in a letter addressed to the DMK cadres regarding the 'Urimaigalai Meetka Stalinin Kural' (Stalin voice to recover the rights) campaign which is set to take place from February 16 to 18 across 40 constituencies. "Why this much arrangement of security in Delhi like a warzone? To silence the protest of our nation's farmers Union BJP Government has created a situation worse than a warzone," CM Stalin stated in the letter.

12:26 PM

Farmer leader alleges police using "military like ammunitions", displays 'smoke shell and rubber bullets'

Policemen were using weapons used by the military against the protesting farmers,  Sarwan Singh Pandher, general secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee said today. At a press conference, the farmer leader showed some ammunition similar to smoke shells and rubber bullets. Pandher, however,  referred to them as ammunition used by the military only.

11:52 AM

'Delhi chalo' LIVE updates: Singhu, Tikri borders remain sealed as farmers' stir enters day 3

Two key border points between Delhi and Haryana -- Tikri and Singhu -- remain closed, although movement was allowed through the Ghazipur border with Uttar Pradesh. Police officials have put up barricades on several roads leading to Parliament and other sensitive locations in central Delhi.

 

11:47 AM

LIVE news: Don't want Centre to say farmers didn't come to table to talk, says farmer leader

"We do not want to give any room to the Centre for saying that it was inviting us but we did not accept it," said farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher  on holding talks with union ministers.

10:30 AM

Farmers' protest LIVE news: Traffic affected at GT Karnal road

10:28 AM

"Guarantee of doubling a farmer's income - false": Rahul Gandhi takes jab at PM Modi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi today on a range of issues today. "Modi ji, before 'new guarantees', calculate the 'old guarantees'," Rahul Gandhi posted in Hindi on X. "The Prime Minister, who has been roaming around with a microscope of false dreams for the last 10 years, is running a business of fraud in the country," the Congress leader claimed.

10:21 AM

Farmers protest LIVE news updates: Protesting farmers to block toll plazas

News agency PTI reported today that the Samyukta Kisan Morcha has decided to hold protests at toll plazas from 11 am till 2 pm.

10:16 AM

Farmers' protest march LIVE news: 'Rail roko' to begin at 12:00 pm

The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and BKU Dakaunda (Dhaner) have announced 'rail roko' (rail blockade) in Punjab today. Protesting farmers will squat on rail tracks at seven locations from 12 noon to 4 pm.

9:48 AM

Confident that a positive solution will emerge from meeting with Union ministers: Farmer leader

"We are going to attend the meeting in a completely positive mood today, and we have full confidence that a positive solution will emerge from this meeting," General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee Sarvan Singh Pandher said.

9:24 AM

We should be allowed to protest peacefully, says farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher

We want Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a dialogue with farmers or else we should be allowed to protest peacefully, said the General Secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Sarvan Singh Pandher. He told news agency ANI today, "We have a meeting with the Union ministers today. We want PM Modi to have a conversation with them so that we can solve our demands."