Bharat Bandh HIGHLIGHTS: Haryana Police uses tear gas on farmers at Shambhu border; talks with Centre again

SKM (Non-Political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on demise of elderly farmer due to cardiac arrest.

Massive traffic jam on Akshardham-Ghazipur road in Delhi amid police barricading at Ghazipur border in view of the ongoing farmers' protest.

Haryana Police on Friday fired tear gas shells to disperse protesting farmers when they moved towards the barricades at the Shambhu border near Ambala, a day after talks between Union ministers and farmer leaders remained inconclusive. The fresh confrontation comes on the fourth day of the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march, called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, to press the government to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Amid the impasse, the Union ministers and farmer leaders will meet on February 18 for the fourth round of talks. The two sides met on February 8, 12 and 15 as well but those talks remained inconclusive.

Commuters in Punjab faced inconvenience on Friday as buses stayed off the roads in response to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha's call for a 'Bharat Bandh' to press the government to accept farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP. Markets and commercial establishments at several places in the state also remained shut while farmers held demonstrations at many places and blocked national highways in Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Bathinda and Jalandhar. They raised slogans against the Centre for not accepting their demands.

Protests were held in parts of western Uttar Pradesh on Friday to mark the 'Bharat Bandh' call given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha. "We are holding the protest for the demands, including implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report, loan waiver etc," Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait told reporters.

Haryana Police on Friday fired tear gas shells to disperse protesting farmers when they moved towards the barricades at the Shambhu border near Ambala. The fresh confrontation comes on the fourth day of the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march to demand a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Protesting farmers from Punjab have stayed put at the Shambhu and Khanauri -- two points on the state's border with Haryana. There were clashes between the farmers and Haryana Police personnel on the first two days of the protest as well. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha had given the call for the 'Delhi Chalo' march to press the BJP-led central government to accept their demands. The farmers from Punjab began their march to the national capital on Tuesday but were stopped by security personnel at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday detained 50 trade union leaders and activists who were planning to hold a protest at Lal Chowk in Jammu and Kashmir in support of the demands of agitating farmers. The protest was planned in response to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha's call for a 'Bharat Bandh' to press the government to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops. The leaders and activists were detained by police near Pratap Park on Residency Road as they were assembling for protests and taken to Kothibagh police station, officials said.

Security forces fire tear gas shells to disperse protesting farmers at Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border.

Haryana government filed affidavit in the court saying farmers can gahero the parliament.

A 63-year-old farmer, who was among the farmers protesting at the Shambhu border near Haryana's Ambala, died of a heart attack on Friday, officials said.

Delhi Police is on high alert and security has been tightened in the national capital in view of the 'Bharat Bandh' call given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), officials said on Friday.

Heavy security deployment continues at Singhu Border as farmers 'Delhi Chalo' march proceeds. 

Traffic snarls continue as commuters faced delays and traffic jams entering into Delhi.

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said, "An employee who was provoking farmers was caught at Khanauri border. There was discussion on the condition of our Facebook page closed movement."

Bhagwant Mann said that today a long discussion took place between the farmers and the Centre. Punjab is most affected by the farmers' movement. Every topic has been discussed in great detail. The meeting has been going on since 7 o'clock and now it is half past one

Speaking to reporters Mann said, "The talks took place in a very positive atmosphere. Central government has shut down internet in our 3 districts. We have raised this demand in the meeting. Students' exams have started." He further said, "Farmers have shown tear gas shells in the meeting There will be a meeting again on Sunday."

"I have brought the Central Government to Chandigarh thrice We have also told the Center to maintain peace by talking to Haryana. Farmer leaders will also keep the farmers calm," he said. 

Farmer organizations have called for Gramin Bharat Bandh today, in view of which the police has increased its vigil on the Ghazipur border. Yesterday some farmers had reached Ghazipur border and were taken into custody by Ghaziabad police. Several layers of barricading has been done on the border, which the Delhi Police has further strengthened till late night. But amidst all this, people are facing traffic jams every day on Delhi Meerut Expressway.

The police said intensive checking will be done by Delhi Police and Gautam Buddha Nagar Police by installing barriers on all the borders adjoining Delhi from Greater Noida and Gautam Buddh Nagar due to which there will be pressure on vehicular movement and traffic would be diverted according to requirement.

"People going to Delhi please use Metro as much as possible to avoid traffic inconvenience. The arrival of all types of goods vehicles will be restricted on the route from Yamuna Expressway to Delhi via Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and from Sirsa to Surajpur via Pari Chowk. To avoid traffic inconvenience, drivers can use alternative routes to reach their destination," the police said.

The talks will continue and another meeting will take place at 6 pm on Sunday, Union Minister Arjun Munda said, adding that a solution will be found by sitting together.

After the meeting between the central government and the farmer unions concluded, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal says, "The protest will continue peacefully... We will not do anything else. We will appeal to the farmers too. When meetings are underway and we move forward (at the borders), then how will the meetings continue. They (Government) have called for a meeting, we will wait till then... On Sunday if we do not get any positive result, then (we will continue)..."