Farmers Protest Highlights: Haryana govt extends suspension of mobile internet services in 7 districts till February 17

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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 Feb 15. The submission was filed in an affidavit before a division bench of Acting Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Vikas Suri.

As the "Delhi Chalo" agitation of farmers entered the third day on Thursday, two key border points between Delhi and Haryana remained closed for traffic, while security personnel in anti-riot gear conducted drills and mock exercises to ensure their fool-proof preparation. The Delhi Police has ordered more than 30,000 teargas shells from the Border Security Force's (BSF) Tear Smoke unit, officials said.

Despite heightened security measures at the Tikri border in view of the farmers’ protest, board exams were held hassle-free and no delay was reported in the conduct of examination.

The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police has said restrictions under CrPC section 144, including a ban on unauthorised public assemblies, would be enforced across the district on Feb 16 in view of proposed protest marches called by the farmers' body Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and other unions.

Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) president Praveen Khandelwal said, “CAIT will not participate in this bandh (Gramin Bharat Bandh called by farmer unions on February 16). Work will continue in all the markets in the country. We request the farm leaders to find solutions for their problems by holding talks with the government.”

Three Union ministers began their third round of talks with farmer leaders in Chandigarh Thursday evening, amid a standoff between the protesters and security personnel at two points on the Punjab-Haryana border.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also joined the meeting.

Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai are representing the central government in the meeting over farmer unions' demands, including a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

“This protest seems political, and there are concerns about the spread of violence, just like we witnessed last time at the Red Fort. At that time too, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh was aware of this fact, and today also the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh is not participating for the same reason, because it is not for noble cause.”

On February 13, the state government had extended the suspension of these services for two days. Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa will face temporaray suspension of internet, the government said in an order.

The third round of crucial talks to begin shortly. Fourteen farmer union leaders who were involved in the 'Dilli Chalo' march are set to meet three Union ministers, Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal and Nityanand Rai in Chandigarh.

- The Grameen Bandh will be observed from 6 am to 4 pm on 16.02.2024. The villages will remain closed for all agricultural activities/ MNREGS Works/ Rural works; No farmer, agricultural worker and rural worker will join work.

- The supply and purchase of vegetables, other crops will remain suspended; All the village shops, grain markets, vegetable markets, government and non government offices, rural industrial and service sector institutions and enterprises in private sector are requested to remain closed.The Shops and establishments of towns remain closed for the Strike Hours

- Normal public and private transport to remain off the roads. Ensure passage to emergency services of ambulance, death, marriage, medical shops, newspaper supply, Board exams, Passengers to Airport.

- Farmers will join Massive Chakka Jam / Rastha Roko/ Road Picketing during 12 pm to 4 pm.

- The massive demonstrations / rally and public meeting followed by cultural programme at village, tehsil and district centers with farmers, workers and all other sections of the people to join alongwith their family members.

--Singhu border and Tikri border to be shut

--Travelling from Chandigarh to Delhi - can reach Delhi starting from Chandigarh via Panchkula, Barwala, Dosarka, Barara, Babain, Ladwa, and Pipli-Kurukshetra or Panchkula, Barwala, Yamunanagar (NH-344), Ladwa, Indri to Karnal. From Karnal, the commuters should cross Panipat and Sonipat and then take the KMP Expressway to reach Gurugram first and then to Delhi.

--Travelling from Delhi to Chandigarh - can reach their destination by first coming from Delhi to Gurugram, take the KMP expressway and reach Sonipat, to Panipat to Karnal and then move towards Indri to Ladwa, Yamunanagar (NH-344), Barwala, Panchkula, or take the road from Karnal to Pipli and then go through Ladwa, Babain, Barara, Dosarka, Barwala, Panchkula and then to Chandigarh.

--Travelling from Hisar and Sirsa - can reach Panchkula via Kaithal (152-D), Pehwa via Kurukshetra, Babain, Barara, Dosarka, Barwala. Similarly, commuters coming from Rewari, Narnaul, and Jind can reach Panchkula from Kaithal via Pehowa, Kurukshetra, Ladwa, Babain, Barara, and Dosarka.

--In case of any difficulty, contact Dial-112. Haryana Police appeals to the general public to use the railway route as a precautionary measure for traveling to Punjab because of the announcement of the Delhi march by farmers' organisations.

Binod Anand, Member of PM MSP Committee says, “if this is the only way to country's economic progress and farmers' welfare, we will leave no stone unturned in doing this. But when was the law on MSP guaranteed? The PM never said that...These are hooligan farmers and a few people politically inspired people...People of a particular state are using farmers in this manner against their political rivals...Nothing on legal guarantee for MSP was ever said...We have to make such agri policies that will be valid until 2075 so that financial inequalities go down...MSP is a complex subject, they should come and sit with us. I assure them that if I am unable to answer all their questions, I will resign from the committee...This is a drama and something to distract and break the nation..."

Fourteen farmer leaders set to hold the third round of talks with a team of Union ministers reach the venue in Sector 26, Chandigarh.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will not be participating the meeting between 14 farmer union members and the union ministers today. Finance Minister Harpal Cheema has been assigned by the CM to be a part of the meeting instead.

Additional Solicitor General of India, Satya Pal Jai said, government of India has always been ready to hold talks with farmers and will meet representatives in Chandigarh at 5pm today, meeting will be held between farmers and 2-3 Union ministers in Chandigarh. We trust that a positive outcome will come out of the meeting, he added. He also said that the HC has been informed about petitioner seeking UN intervention in the matter of two PILs filed in Punjab & Haryana High Court. The court told the petitioner to withdraw his petition...Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh UT have filed status reports before the court. Both the states stated before court that the situation is tense but it is under control. The next hearing in the case will be on 20th February, said Pal Jai.

Regarding the ongoing farmers' protest, Gurnam Singh Charuni, a prominent farmer leader, outlined three significant decisions. Firstly, he stated that Haryana tolls would be kept free for three hours the following day, from 12 pm to 3 pm. Secondly, he announced plans for tractor parades in every Tehsil the day after tomorrow, starting at 12 pm. Lastly, Charuni mentioned a joint meeting of all farmers' and labor organizations scheduled for February 18th, where further decisions would be made regarding the course of the protest.

The ongoing farmers' protests in India stem from several long-standing grievances and demands. Despite existing guarantees requiring the government to purchase certain crops like rice and wheat at minimum support prices (MSP) when market prices fall below a certain level, farmers' unions are pushing for the expansion of MSP to cover all crops. This expansion aims to shield farmers from market fluctuations and ensure fair prices for their produce.

The Modi government had previously pledged to consider this demand following protests in 2021. However, unions assert that little progress has been made on this front. Additionally, they are calling for the dropping of criminal charges against union leaders from previous protests and advocating for a monthly pension of $120 for farmers aged 60 and above.

Other demands include debt relief for farmers, India's withdrawal from the World Trade Organization and free trade agreements, and assurances that existing subsidies, such as free electricity, will continue.

-Demand for a minimum wage of ₹26,000 per month, repeal of four labour codes, and guaranteed employment as a fundamental right.
-Opposition to privatization of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and contextualization of the workforce.
-Advocacy for the abolition of fixed-term employment.
-Call for Minimum Support Price for crops based on the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission of C2+50, legal guarantee of procurement, debt waiver, no hike in electricity tariff, and no smart meters.

-Villages to remain closed for all agricultural activities, MNREGA, and rural works.
-Trading and procurement of vegetables and other crops halted.
-Closure of village shops, grain markets, vegetable markets, governmental and non-governmental offices, rural industrial and service sector establishments, and private sector enterprises.
-Shops and businesses in neighbouring towns also to remain closed.
-Public transport services are suspended as roadway employees join the protest.
-Punjab School Education Board requested to defer the Class 10 science exam scheduled on February 16 due to bandh.
-Democratic Teachers Front, Punjab supports the Gramin Bharat Bandh call.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Khattar expressed criticism towards the methods employed by protesting farmers, likening their approach to that of an army on the offensive. According to PTI, Khattar objected to the farmers' use of tractor-trolleys, earth-movers, and provisions for a year-long stay, describing their actions as resembling a military operation. He emphasized that while there's no objection to the farmers heading to Delhi, he questioned the use of tractors, stating that they are agricultural equipment, not means of transportation.

The Bharat Bandh call, led by several farmers' unions including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), coincides with the standoff as hundreds of farmers from Punjab are halted at the state's border with Haryana near Ambala. Haryana security forces have employed tear gas to deter their advance towards Delhi, with Delhi Police resolved to prevent their entry into the national capital.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered the suspension of internet services in specific areas of Punjab's Patiala, Sangrur, and Fatehgarh Sahib districts until February 16. This action was taken in response to the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march. The suspension covers areas falling under various police stations in these districts, including Patiala's Shatrana, Samana, Ghanaour, Devigarh, and Balbhera, Sangrur's Khanauri, Moonak, Lehra, Sunam, and Chajli, as well as Fatehgarh Sahib's police station area. The order, issued on February 12, cited public safety concerns and the need to prevent emergencies as reasons for the suspension, invoking the Indian Telegraph Act and Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services Rules 2017.

Agricultural economist and Distinguished Professor at ICRIER, Ashok Gulati, expressed his views to ANI, stating, "Punjab is at least 20 years behind diversification and if they don't diversify, they are playing with the future generations of Punjab. Because the water table in Punjab is going down by more than a meter every year...They are way behind at least 20 years on that path. The leadership of Punjab has failed." Gulati's remarks highlight concerns over Punjab's agricultural practices and the urgent need for diversification to secure the region's future.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar addressed farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's statement regarding Prime Minister Modi, stating, "This is a political statement. Will the people stop supporting PM Modi if such a huge protest is organized? A message is getting circulated in the public that this is not the right way to protest." Khattar's comments came in response to Dallewal's remark urging to "bring the graph of PM Modi down."

On the third day of the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' agitation, crucial border points between Delhi and Haryana, namely Singhu and Tikri, continue to be closed for traffic. Security forces, equipped in anti-riot gear, have been deployed strategically across the national capital. While movement is permitted through the Ghazipur border with Uttar Pradesh under heightened security, the Delhi Police remains vigilant. Despite being stopped by the Haryana Police at the Shambhu border, protesting farmers' presence has prompted increased vigilance from law enforcement. In central Delhi, barricades have been erected along roads leading to Parliament and other sensitive areas, while multiple layers of barricades, barbed wires, and concrete blocks have been set up at Tikri and Singhu borders to prevent farmers from entering the capital.

One commuter, speaking to ANI, expressed frustration over being stuck in traffic for an hour. They called for stringent measures against the protesting farmers, alleging potential destruction and describing many of them as "goons." The commuter highlighted the challenges faced by ordinary people due to the ongoing protests and urged the government to take decisive action.

The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukat Kisna have announced a Bharat Bandh on February 16, 2024, amidst ongoing farmer protests. This protest seeks to emphasize the central government's failure to implement minimum support price (MSP) laws and address agricultural reforms. It aims to draw attention to unresolved issues affecting farmers and workers nationwide, echoing the unmet promises from the 2020 protests.

During a press conference at the Shambhu border, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher expressed the expanding scope of their ongoing protest, stating, "As far as the agitation is concerned, it has now reached across the country." Pandher highlighted a recent dharna organized in Haryana, noting that reports about it were not accessible due to the suspension of internet services. He further emphasized, "This agitation will get bigger in the coming days."

According to Sarwan Singh Pandher, the General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, police have been employing military-grade weapons against protesting farmers. Pandher, during a press conference, presented what he claimed were examples of such ammunition, including tear gas and smoke shells, which he asserted are typically exclusive to military use. He further alleged that expired ammunition is being utilized to obscure records. Pandher's claims raise concerns about the escalating tensions between authorities and farmers involved in the ongoing protests. (Source: PTI)

"We do not want to give any room to the Centre for saying that it was inviting us but we did not accept it," stated farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, highlighting the significance of engaging in discussions with union ministers.

On the third day of the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' agitation, crucial border points between Delhi and Haryana, specifically Singhu and Tikri, remained sealed to traffic. Security forces, donned in anti-riot gear, were stationed strategically across the national capital. While movement was permitted through the Ghazipur border with Uttar Pradesh, strict vigilance was maintained by security personnel.

The Delhi Police has made a significant procurement of over 30,000 tear gas shells in preparation for the 'Dilli Chalo' protest by Punjab farmers. With hundreds of farmers halted at the Haryana border near Ambala, approximately 200 kilometers from Delhi, security forces have resorted to using tear gas to scatter the crowds.

Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Sarwan Singh Pandher emphasized that their demands were not mere repetition but crucial issues directly impacting their livelihoods. He stated that they would firmly present their concerns to the Union ministers during the upcoming meeting in Chandigarh.

The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and BKU Dakaunda (Dhaner) have declared plans for a 'rail roko' (rail blockade) in Punjab. Scheduled for Thursday, farmers intend to stage sit-ins on railway tracks at seven different locations starting from 12 noon until 4 pm.

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh defended Prime Minister Modi's initiatives aimed at supporting farmers amidst the ongoing protests. Ghosh highlighted the reduction in fertilizer prices and the launch of the 'Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan)' scheme as evidence of the government's commitment to improving farmers' conditions. He dismissed Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait's call for a 'Bharat Bandh' on February 16, attributing it to a desire for leadership recognition rather than genuine concerns for farmers' welfare.

Sarvan Singh Pandher, the General Secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, has underscored the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaging in dialogue with farmers amid the intensifying protest. Pandher emphasized that if such discussions fail to materialize, farmers should be permitted to continue their peaceful demonstration. He conveyed this viewpoint during an interview with ANI, highlighting the farmers' desire for a resolution to their demands through dialogue with Union ministers, ultimately seeking a direct conversation with PM Modi.

Amidst ongoing tensions, Union ministers are set to convene another round of discussions with farmer representatives on February 15 in Chandigarh. This meeting comes after previous talks failed to yield any conclusive outcomes. The discussions aim to address the concerns raised by various farm groups, particularly amidst their planned march to Delhi. Previous meetings held in Chandigarh prior to the commencement of the march did not result in any significant agreements.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh has voiced criticism against the central government's approach to the ongoing farmer protests. Ramesh emphasized the importance of examining the historical context surrounding the issue, particularly citing the Swaminathan committee's report on Minimum Support Price (MSP) in 2006-07. He noted that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had responded to this report by establishing a panel under the National Development Council, chaired by then-Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. This panel presented its findings to Singh in February 2011, with Modi advocating for the legal recognition of MSP. However, despite discussions, no concrete action was taken as the Congress lost power before any significant progress could be made.

Several farmer associations, primarily from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab, are commencing a protest march today. Their primary demand is a law ensuring a minimum support price (MSP), a condition they previously stipulated when agreeing to end their protest against the now-repealed farm laws in 2021. Additionally, they seek the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm laborers, farm debt waiver, withdrawal of police cases, and "justice" for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

Shashi Tharoor, a senior leader of the Congress party, criticized the government's response to the ongoing farmers' protest, highlighting disparities in security measures between the national capital and the border with China. He emphasized the democratic right of farmers to protest and called for their voices to be heard in Delhi. Tharoor suggested that the government should have learned from past agitations and engaged in consultations with stakeholders to address grievances promptly. He referenced previous farmer protests, noting that it took a year-long agitation before the government acquiesced to demands. ANI reported Tharoor's comments.

Sarvan Singh Pandher, General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, expressed optimism ahead of the scheduled meeting with ministers today. He stated, "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.

A third round of discussions between protesting farmers and a delegation of Union ministers is set to take place in Chandigarh today at 5 pm. The Centre, represented by ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, and Nityanand Rai, may propose the establishment of a new committee to address all outstanding issues, including providing a legal guarantee for the procurement of crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The Manmohan Singh-led UPA government declined the Swaminathan Committee's recommendation for a minimum support price (MSP) set at least 50% higher than the weighted average cost of production. Officials argued that implementing such a measure could distort the market. However, recent statements from Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi, indicate a shift in stance. They pledged to enact a law ensuring MSP, if elected, with Rahul Gandhi asserting the decision, is for the nation's benefit, not political gain, while addressing criticism over the proposal.