Farmers not to march to Delhi for two days as govt urges another for round of talks | Updates

Full-proof arrangements have been made at Shambhu border to dealt with farmers even if their strength reaches upto 25,000.

As per intel sources, there are about 10,000-12,000 farmers who are gathered at the Shambhu border. Tractors and other vehicles are between 1,000-1,200 hundred.

Tight arrangements have been made to stop farmers crossing the Shambhu border.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur has said that earlier also we (government) were ready for discussions, still we are ready and in the future also we will be ready. We don't have any problem, they are our 'Annadatas'.

"Today, we received the unfortunate news that a person has been shot at the Khanauri border and has died. Therefore, we have decided to postpone the plan to burn effigies and instead opt to block the roads for two hours in every district from 12 PM to 2 PM (tomorrow). We will convene a meeting with the core committee to decide on the next course of action."

Internet suspension in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts in Haryana has been extended till February 23.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will address Punjabis shortly on the ongoing farmers protest.

"...We will have discussions over the incident that took place in Khanauri. There will be a two-day stay on our march towards Delhi. We will clarify the entire situation later as to what our further movement will be...," said farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher.

Additional CP, Delhi Eastern Range Sagar Singh Kalso on farmers protest | "All three zones in the eastern range share their borders with Noida and Ghaziabad of UP. Our intelligence and coordination with these zones are proper. Our security arrangements are intact..."

Farmers decide not to march to Delhi for 2 days, tension on the Haryana-Punjab border continues due to teargas, and clashes. 

Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda on farmers protest | "I have requested farmers to talk in an atmosphere of peace and find solutions through dialogue. I believe in this nation, we have always solved complex issues through dialogue, and we want to solve this problem also through a positive dialogue. It is true that in our past meetings, we failed to come to a conclusion, but I am hopeful that we will find a solution to the farmers' problem in the coming days."

Watch | Jhajjar Police takes out flag march in Haryana's Bahadurgarh as farmers protest continues.

SKM (Non-Political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on farmers protest | "So what if they fired tear gas shells on us? It is not possible that we watch the show while tear gas shells are fired on our kids here. Arjun Munda talks about holding another round of discussion, we told him that if any talks are to be held, it should be around MSP guarantee law."

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on protest | "We did not send any youth at the front, instead leaders themselves went peacefully. The way they attacked us (with tear gas shells), everyone saw that. We have never refused for talks, but it is not possible to hold discussions in such environment."

"A solution can be found only through continued dialogue. I appeal to the farmers' organisation to move forward by the way of dialogue to find a resolution to all issues," says Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda.

On farmers' protest, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait in UP's Meerut says, "This movement will continue, a solution can be found only through dialogue... SKM (Samyukt Kisan Morcha) will meet tomorrow and decide what to do."

"According to the information received so far, no farmer has died today. This is just a rumour. There is information about two policemen and one protestor being injured at Data Singh-Khanori border," said Haryana Police on farmers' protest.

Farmers have decided to move towards Delhi even as government has invited them for fifth round of talks. 

On asking if they have received any invitation for a meeting with the government representatives, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher says, "We will confirm soon... We will think of the talks after a discussion..."

Delhi Eastern Range's Additional CP Sagar Singh Kalsi said there is no specific input as such regarding farmers coming to the Ghazipur side. 

"We are at the Ghazipur border. We are coordinating with the Police in the adjacent districts of UP - Ghaziabad and Noida. There is no specific input as such regarding farmers coming to the Ghazipur side. But our more important priority is to maintain peace in the area. You can see that the traffic movement is going on smoothly...Our patrolling in the area is also going on so that crime and the situation in the area are under control...At present the traffic is smooth at all the major eastern borders in Delhi - Chilla Border, Ghazipur Border, NH9, Bhopra Border, Apsara Border and Meet Nagar. There is no diversion," he added.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher addressed agitating farmers at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border as they attempted to resume their 'Delhi Chalo' march.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sent an advisory to the Punjab government asking it to maintain law and order in the wake of the farmers agitation, said the sources. 

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, during a press conference in Delhi, appealed to protesting farmers to join talks with the government.

"Agriculture minister Arjun Munda has offered talks today also. The solution will emerge from talks and discussions. We would appeal to them (farmers) that the issue should be resolved peacefully. We have already discussed how much work our government has done for the farmers. Development of farmers is our one of the biggest priorities," he said.

Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda invited protesting farmer leaders for the fifth round of talks.

Munda in a X post said, "After the fourth round, the government is ready to discuss all the issues like MSP, crop diversification, stubble issue, FIR in the fifth round. I again invite the farmer leaders for discussion. It is important for us to maintain peace."

The security forces fired tear gas shells as agitating farmers attempted to proceed to Delhi from the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border.

Delhi Police heightened security arrangements at the Tikri border in the wake of farmer protest. According to the Delhi Police sources, the police are prepared with 10,000 tear gas, tire killing Machine - 10, and cutter machine - 10 at the Tikri border. 2 drones are being used at the Tikri Border. 

The police personnel fired tear gas at protesting farmers after they tried to resume the 'Delhi Chalo' march at the Shambhu border.

The commuters in Ghaziabad faced massive traffic jams on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway on Wednesday in view of a protest march called by farmer unions. There was a huge jam on all the lanes going towards the national capital on the Delhi-Ghazipur border. The vehicles were moving slowly. Delhi Police installed barricades on each lane on the Ghazipur border due to the possibility of farmers reaching the national capital. 

Haryana Police welcomed the announcement by farmers not to use heavy machinery like JCB, Poklane etc. during the protest. The police appealed that protestors should not use tractor trolleys. Cooperate in maintaining law and order. @anilvijminister @cmohry

According to the sources, Delhi Police has taken stock of the security arrangements at Shambhu Border in Haryana as they planned to arrange the security in the national capital on the same lines.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said they have decided the leaders will led the march from front and youth and other farmers will not come forward.

"We've decided that no farmer, youth will march forward. Leaders will march ahead. We will go peacefully with empty hands. All this can be ended if they (Central govt) announce to make a law on MSP," he said.

Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda said through conversation, a solution will surely come out. He was speaking on farmer leaders rejecting the government's proposal over MSP.

Haryana Police requested owners and operators of Poclains and JCBs to remove their machines from the protesting site.

"Owners and operators of Poclains,JCBs: Pls do not provide the services of ur equipment to the protestors. Pl withdraw these machines from the protest site. These machines may be used to cause harm to security forces, it's a non-bailable offence and you may be held criminally liable," the Haryana Police X handle posted.

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said their (protesters) intention is not to create any chaos and they had made a programme to reach Delhi since November 7.

"Our intention is not to create any chaos. If the government says that they didn't get enough time this means the government is trying to neglect us... This is not right that such huge barricades are placed to stop us. We want to go to Delhi peacefully. The government should remove the barricades and let us come in... Otherwise, they should fulfil our demands... We are peaceful... If they extend one hand, we will also cooperate... We have to handle the situation with patience... I appeal to the youngsters to not lose control," he added.

In a recent statement, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher appealed to Prime Minister Modi to address the ongoing farmer protests and ensure an end to the oppression faced by farmers. Pandher emphasised the farmers' plea for a law guaranteeing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and urged the Prime Minister to intervene and resolve the matter. He condemned the deployment of paramilitary forces in Haryana villages and questioned the treatment of farmers who have peacefully exercised their rights. Pandher underscored the importance of upholding the Constitution and allowing farmers to peacefully march towards Delhi. He urged the government to fulfill its responsibility towards the welfare of farmers and address their concerns without further delay.

The Centre has estimated that nearly 14,000 people have gathered along the Punjab-Haryana border with 1,200 tractor-trolleys, 300 cars, 10 mini-buses as well as small vehicles and conveyed its strong objections to the Punjab government for it, sources said on Tuesday. In a communication to the Punjab government, the Union Home Ministry also said that the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state has been a matter of concern over the last few days and asked it to take stringent action against lawbreakers. The home ministry said many miscreants in the guise of farmers were indulging in stone-pelting, mobilising heavy machinery along the Shambhu on Punjab's border with Haryana.

DGP Punjab ordered stopping the movement of JCBs, Poclaines, Tippers, Hydras and other heavy earthmoving equipments towards the Punjab-Haryana Border at Khanauri and Shambu.

Farmer leaders taking part in the 'Delhi Chalo' agitation rejected the Centre's proposal for procuring three pulses, maize and cotton at the minimum support price (MSP) by government agencies for five years and announced that they would resume their march on Wednesday. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo' march to press the government to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP for crops and a farm loan waiver.

Haryana Police urged its Punjab counterparts to seize bulldozers and other earthmoving equipment from the interstate border which they say protesters will use to break barricades. These could pose a threat to the security forces deployed at the border, Haryana Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapoor said in an urgent communication to his Punjab counterpart Gaurav Yadav. Later, in a communication to senior police officers, the Punjab DGP said that no JCBs and other heavy earthmoving equipment should be allowed to reach Khanauri and Shambu border points as inputs indicate that the protesters plan to break barricades and enter Haryana.

Haryana Police on Tuesday asked its Punjab counterparts to seize bulldozers which they say protesting farmers from Punjab have brought with them as they plan to resume their 'Delhi Chalo' from the interstate border. The farmers were set to begin their march again on Wednesday from two points on the Punjab-Haryana border after the failure of four rounds of talks with the Centre over a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) for crops.