Centre calls for talks, farmers tear-gassed at Punjab-Haryana border
The Centre on Wednesday urged protesting farmers to hold the fifth round of talks, even as the agitators resumed their "Delhi Chalo" protest march. Union Minister Arjun Munda said that the government is ready to discuss all outstanding issues, including minimum support price (MSP) guarantees. At around 11:00am, the Haryana Police fired tear gas shells at farmers as they tried to move towards the multi-layer barricades at the Shambhu border.
Why does this story matter?
A group of farmers has launched a protest over their demands, one of which includes a legal guarantee on MSP. The Centre and farmer leaders have held four meetings to come up with a resolution. After the fourth round of talks on Sunday, the Centre proposed that government-promoted cooperative societies will buy pulses, maize, and cotton crops at MSP for five years. Farmer leaders had then declared they would study the proposal and halted the protest march for two days.
Tikait's BKU starts another protest in western UP
On Wednesday, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait's Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) initiated another protest in western Uttar Pradesh, with farmers demonstrating on their tractors at various district headquarters. Meanwhile, ahead of the march, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher had reiterated that the farmers would demonstrate peacefully. As a pre-emptive measure, the Haryana Police on Tuesday, asked its Punjab counterpart to seize bulldozers, tractors, and equipment brought by protesters to dismantle police barricades.
Security strengthened on Delhi borders
In view of the protest march, security was strengthened in Delhi, with personnel stationed at Tikri, Singhu, and Ghazipur borders. On Tuesday, the security personnel conducted mock drills in preparation for any untoward incident. Reports said, the Tikri and Singhu border points between Delhi and Haryana have been sealed, with a heavy police presence and multiple layers of barricades. Two lanes of the Ghazipur border are also shut, with the possibility of a complete closure later in the day.
Government blocks 177 social media accounts linked to protest
The Centre has temporarily blocked nearly 177 social media accounts and web links related to the farmers' protest which would be restored once the protest ends, according to reports. The orders were issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under Section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act. Separately, the Haryana government extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts until February 21.
Traffic congestion expected during protest march
Amid the crisis, the Delhi Police have asked commuters to avoid certain roads in central parts of the city due to special traffic arrangements for the protest march. Local police in Greater Noida also warned of possible traffic congestion on Wednesday, as farmers plan to gather at the Knowledge Park metro station before marching toward the Collectorate in Surajpur. Traffic diversions may be imposed during the protest.
Traffic advisory by Delhi Traffic Police
Farmers demand MSP for oilseeds, bajra
On Sunday, some farmer leaders also demanded the inclusion of oilseeds and bajra in the MSP guarantee. Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni warned that if the government does not agree to their demands by February 21, "Haryana will also join the protest." He said, "The government should...understand that these two things (oilseeds and bajra) are very important. Today mustard is available in the market at Rs. 4200, it is being sold at Rs. 2,000 less than the MSP."
