Farmers’ protest highlights: Madhya Pradesh farmers head to Delhi to join protests against farm laws

The talks held between the central government and the farmer groups on Tuesday regarding the three new agricultural laws failed to reach a logical conclusion. A second meeting will be held on Thursday as farmers from Punjab and Haryana continued their protests for over six days.

Right after Tuesday’s meet which lasted for three hours, Union agricultural minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that Centre suggested setting up a five-member panel to further understand the issues raised by the famers, but it was rejected by the leaders of 35 farmer groups. They said that such committees have led to no results and outcomes in the past.

“We had a detailed discussion. We will again meet on December 3. We suggested to them to form a small committee, but they said they all will be present in the meeting. So, we agreed to that,” Tomar had said.

Meanwhile, Delhi Traffic Police on Thursday morning said that the Chilla border, situated on Noida-link road has been closed for traffic movement due to protests near Gautam Budh Dwar. It added that people were advised to avoid Noida-link road for going to Noida and use NH-24 and DND instead.

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Madhya Pradesh farmers to join protests in Delhi opposing farm laws

Farmers from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh left for Delhi today to join the ongoing protests against the centre’s farm laws, reports PTI. MP farmers have left for the national capital, with the union minister for agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar set to meet with the leaders of the already protesting farmers’ unions tomorrow.

Farm laws in farmers’ interest, government ready to address concerns: Agriculture minister

Narendra Singh Tomar has appealed to the farmers that the centre’s farm laws were in the interest of the farmers and that the government has implemented them after a long wait.

He further assured that the government is ready to address the objections and concerns of the farmers regarding the laws, reports ANI.

Agriculture minister assures talks with farmers tomorrow

Minister of agriculture and farmer welfare Narendra Singh Tomar has said that the central government will hold talks with the farmers tomorrow. “Let’s see to what extent issues can be resolved,” he said, as quoted by ANI.

The government had earlier agreed to meet and discuss with protesting farmer unions on December 3, about the farm bills.

Krantikari Kisan Union demands special parliament session to repel farm laws

Darshan Pal, president of the Krantikari Kisan Union has demanded that the central government should convene a special parliament session to repel the farm laws, reports ANI.

Centre didn’t invite UP, Uttarakhand farmers for talks on Tuesday, says farmers organisation

Sardar VM Singh, convenor of All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee had said that the farmers from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand weren’t invited for talks with the government on Tuesday, despite assembling in Burari after the Home minister’s appeal.

He further said that the committee has spoken with leader of Bharatiya Kisan Union and they “are together in this struggle,” reports ANI.

Apex transport body calls for nationwide strike in support of farmers

Supply of essential goods might potentially be hit , as the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has called for a strike in support of the farmers’ protests. AIMTC president Kultaran Singh Atwal has said that all vehicles would be stopped in north Indian states and Union Territories if the centre doesn’t comply with the farmers’ demand.

AIMTC represents roughly 10 million truck drivers and a statement from the body said that nearly 65 percent of the trucks carry farm goods and produce.

Police use water cannons on Punjab Youth Congress workers marching to Haryana CM’s residence

Punjab Youth Congress workers jumped over barricades in their march to Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s residence. Police tried to disband the protestors using water cannons and several others were taken into preventive custody.

The protestors marched against the Haryana government for stopping the ‘Delhi Chalo’ farmers’ march, reports news agency PTI.

Police remove barricades at Delhi-Noida border

The carriageway from Delhi to Noida at Chilla border has been opened after protesting farmers agreed to shift themselves on the other carriageway going towards Delhi from Noida.

Manish Tewari urges Centre to urgently convene winter session of Parl

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Wednesday urged the Union government to convene the winter session of Parliament as soon as possible to resolve farmers issues along with rising Covid-19 cases in the country and Chinese incursion.

“Farmers have besieged Delhi, Economy is officially in recession, Chinese continues to encroach upon over 1000 square kilometres of our land, COVID cases are at 95 lakhs with 1.38 lakhs dead in 8 months. GOVT NEEDS TO CONVENE THE WINTER SESSION OF PARLIAMENT ASAP WITHOUT DELAY,” he tweeted.

Legal notice served to Kanagana over ‘misidentifying’ Shaheen Bagh activist Bilkis Bano

A Punjab-based lawyer sent a notice to actor Kangana Ranaut over the alleged misidentification of an old woman at the ongoing farmers’ protest as Shaheen Bagh activist Bilkis Bano. Advocate Harkam Singh suggested Ranaut should have authenticated information before posting it on social media and demanded an apology over her tweets where she allegedly misidentified the woman.

Rahul Gandhi fires ‘suit boot’ jibe at Centre

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday once again slammed the central government over the ongoing farmers’ protest. Taking to twitter, Gandhi said, “ “What the government said: farmers’ income will be doubled. What the government did: increased income of its cronies four times and will halve farmers’ income. This is a government of lies and a ‘suit-boot’ government.”

Tikri border along with two other borders closed for traffic movement: Delhi Traffic Police

The Delhi Traffic Police also said Tikri border, Jharoda Border, Jhatikra Border are closed for any traffic movement adding that Badusarai Border is open only for two-wheeler traffic.

Chilla border on Noida-link road closed for traffic due to protests

The Delhi Traffic Police on Thursday morning said that the Chilla border, situated on Noida-link road has been closed for traffic movement due to protests near Gautam Budh Dwar. It added that people were advised to avoid Noida-link road for going to Noida and use NH-24 and DND instead, reports ANI.

 

The Chilla border on Noida-link road is closed for traffic due to farmers protests near Gautam Budh Dwar. People are advised to avoid Noida-link road for going to Noida and use NH-24 and DND instead for Noida: Delhi Traffic Police#FarmerProtest pic.twitter.com/wnAx3S9n7U

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2020

Northern Railway cancels few trains amid ongoing protests

The Northern Railway on Wednesday morning cancelled/short terminated/short-originated/diverted a few trains due to the protests being carried out by farmers of Punjab. The 09613 Ajmer-Amritsar express special train has been cancelled along with 09612 Amritsar - Ajmer special train. The 05211 Dibrugarh- Amritsar express special train commencing on December 3 will remain cancelled. Consequently, the 05212 Amritsar - Dibrugarh will remain cancelled too.

SAD alleges ‘failure’ of talks part of Centre’s attempts to tire farmers

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday blamed the Centre for failure of talks on Tuesday alleging that it was prolonging and deepening the deliberation process in order to tire the farmers out, according to an official release. The SAD added that Tuesday’s meeting was the Centre’s refusal to focus on specific demands of farmers.