Farmers Protest Highlights: Will decide next course of action on February 29, say farmer leaders

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“Tomorrow we will pay homage to all the martyrs by taking out a candle march and mourning meetings will be held all over the country,” says SKM (non-political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on deaths that have occurred during the ongoing farmer's protests.

Farmer leaders Friday said they will decide their next course of action on their 'Delhi Chalo' call on February 29, and announced a candle march on Saturday and burning of Centre's effigies two days later.

A decision to this effect was taken Friday evening by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), which are spearheading the ongoing agitation at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points.

"The next announcement about the agitation will be made on February 29," KMM leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told the media at the Khanauri border point.

“In Khanauri, Shubhkaran Singh was killed by a bullet. We want cases to be registered against those officers who had given the orders. Until he gets justice, we will continue demonstrations here (at the Shambhu border),” Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee president Sukhwinder Singh Sabhra said on the death of a farmer during the ongoing protests.

“When the invite comes, it's not just me alone. SKM is very big. We will take the decision together,” SKM (non-political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said on participating in talks with the central government.

“Today SKM and SKM (non-political) had called for demonstrations all over the country. Thousands of farmers had gathered at the Khanauri border for the same and our leaders like Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher were present here. Both the forums are going to meet (soon) to decide on the next course of action.”

“I have ploughed the field. I am a farmer. I am a son of a farmer; I know the pain of farmers. When I have announced a scheme in favour of farmers, either you are not able to digest it or not liking it,” Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar told the opposition while presenting the budget.

“He (Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann) said that an investigation will take place, but his own officials, on the other hand, say that it will not happen. Today, one youth was shot at; tomorrow there can be more,” says farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on the death of a farmer during the ongoing protests.

According to the plea, "The farmers peacefully protesting for their demand for the implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan committee as per their call for the protest for ‘Dilli Chalo’ on 13.02.2024. The Respondent, Union, and State governments, in anticipation of the protest by the farmer, issued threats against the people participating in the protest, fortified the borders of the state around the city of Delhi, with iron spikes, concrete walls, etc. ensuring that farmers are not able to enter the territory of the national capital.”

-- Order the state and central government to stop all violence against the protestors and remove all barricading and fortification etc at once.

-- Instruct relevant authorities to file criminal charges for threats and violence against farmers and the damage caused to public property by different departments, forces, and agencies.

-- Instruct relevant authorities to not cause hindrance in farmers' peaceful march and gathering in the national capital.

-- Social media accounts should be unblocked and the right to free speech should not be curbed. FIRs should be registered against this act of the government.

-- Instruct relevant authorities to take immediate action against those who are defaming farmers and Sikhs, and hurling abuses, using derogatory terms, and issuing threats.

A social activist named Agnatos Theos has filed a PIL in the Supreme Court on the farm protest, stating he was "alarmed at the blatantly unconstitutional measures taken to threaten the protesting farmers and hinder their progress to Delhi, and other such acts”.

-- Police on Friday lobbed tear gas shells to disperse farmers who were heading to the Khanauri border point of Punjab and Haryana.

-- Farmers were going to the Khanauri border from Kheri Chopta village in Hisar-Narnaund road when police fired tear gas canisters.

“The opposition is troubled when we talk about farmers. Which other state buys 14 crops on MSP in the country? Which other state has increased loan amounts given to farmers and also waived off interest and penalties? Over Rs 1700 crore worth of loans have been waived off. Punjab farmers are expressing their pain as they don't get what we are giving to our farmers in the state. They (the opposition) want to stand with them (Punjab farmers). The farmers have understood which govt is their well-wisher.”

"Some farmers started the protest hastily, and it was very disorganised. Therefore, we have decided in the Core Committee meeting to request both SKM and SKM (non-political) groups to form a common committee and then proceed with the protest under that committee. This will impact the government and boost the morale of the people, ensuring that our demands are heard."

A 62-year-old farmer, who was part of the 'Delhi Chalo' agitation, died of a heart attack in Khanauri on the Punjab-Haryana border, a farmer leader said on Friday.

Darshan Singh was a native of Amargarh village in Bathinda district, said Sarwan Singh Pandher.

Farmers demanding higher prices for their crops burned effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other ministers on February 23 as they sought to expand their protest against his government months before elections.

Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan says, “Farmers agitation is coming often from Punjab. We don't understand why. I don't know how a minimum price can be assured by law. I do not know how feasible is their demand. When you are coming in large numbers, you are blocking traffic, then govt has to take certain steps.”

Farmer leaders participating in the 'Delhi Chalo' agitation on Friday said the cremation of Shubhkaran Singh, who died amid clashes between Haryana Police and Punjab farmers, will not take place till the Punjab government registers a case against those responsible it.

Subhkaran Singh, 21, a native of Bathinda, died on Wednesday at Khanauri border point on the Punjab-Haryana border amid clashes between Haryana Police and Punjab farmers.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, “The Centre has formed a 3-member committee of Ministers and is negotiating with farmers...PM Modi has taken every step to increase the income of farmers and he works for even the smallest farmers.”

“The expense of urea has reached Rs 3,000 from Rs 300 but even today farmers are buying it at Rs 300 because the government took the responsibility on its own shoulders...we are sincerely working on the issues regarding farmers...,” she added.

Family of deceased farmer protester turns down Rs 1 crore compensation; ‘no post mortem till guilty punished,’ say farmer leaders

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher in Patiala says, “Case under section 302 IPC should be registered against those who are responsible for the death (of a farmer). We will take a decision (on moving to Delhi) after today's meeting.”

Representatives of the Sikh community on Thursday called on West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose to protest against alleged "Khalistani" jibe at an IPS officer by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. Sikh IPS officer Jaspreet Singh has claimed that Adhikari, leader of the opposition in the state assembly, had used the term "Khalistani" against him when he was halted by the police while en route to restive Sandeshkhali on Tuesday. Though the BJP leader denied making any such comment, the matter escalated to a major row.

The Haryana government has announced a significant relief for farmers in the state budget. According to the announcement made on Friday, all the interest on agricultural loans taken by state farmers will be waived. This facility will be available until May of this year. Moreover, no penalties will be charged on the loans taken through September 2023. However, any additional interest or penalties that are assessed after May 2021 will have to be paid by the farmers.

On Friday, the Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar, presented a budget of Rs 1.89 lakh crore for the 2024-25 financial year. He also announced the waiver of interest and penalty on certain crop loans. This move comes at a time when farmers have intensified their protests at the Punjab-Haryana borders. Khattar reassured the public that his government has taken many steps towards the welfare of farmers, including providing MSP for 14 crops.

A notice was posted outside the residence of BKU Shaheed Bhagat Singh President, Amarjeet Singh Mohri, warning him to take permission from district administration before holding a protest. The notice was pasted outside his house on February 21, when he was participating in the agitation at Shambhu border, claimed his associates.

Notices are issued to several Haryana farmers who are actively participating in the ongoing farmers’ protest on Punjab side at Shambhu border. The teams of Ambala police today visited several villages in the district to serve notices.

A notice was posted outside the residence of BKU Shaheed Bhagat Singh President, Amarjeet Singh Mohri, warning him to take permission from district administration before holding a protest. The notice was pasted outside his house on February 21, when he was participating in the agitation at Shambhu border, claimed his associates.

Notices are issued to several Haryana farmers who are actively participating in the ongoing farmers’ protest on Punjab side at Shambhu border. The teams of Ambala police today visited several villages in the district to serve notices.

Ambala ASP Pooja Dabla said, "Our senior officers have decided not to implement any of its (NSA) provisions. I would like to appeal our farmer leaders and farmer unions to maintain peace and law and order."

Thousands of protesting Indian farmers facing off with security forces have come under the protection of the Nihang Sikhs, a warrior sect dating back to the 1600s distinguished by their ink-blue robes and ancient weapons such as swords and spears.
The farmers, who are also mainly Sikhs and who hail from the northern state of Punjab, are demanding higher prices for their crops, and began marching to the capital Delhi earlier this month to press their demands to the government.

(From Reuters)

“Under the scheme to prevent stubble burning and reduce pollution, 1 lakh 56 thousand farmers registered for the management of 14 lakh acres and an incentive amount of Rs 139 crore was provided to the farmers during the year 2023-24. In 2023-24, stubble burning cases also declined by 67 per cent to 2,303 over the previous two years, while 6,987 were recorded in 2021-22..”

"The Haryana government understands the contribution of our farmers and we are determined to contribute our best and stand with them in every possible way. So far, an amount of Rs 297.58 crore has been deposited directly into the accounts of farmers as compensation in the financial year 2023-24 through the e-compensation portal. A target was set to improve 50,000 acres of saline and waterlogged areas during the year 2023-24. An area of 52,695 acres has been improved using sub-surface and vertical drainage technology, keeping that in mind, an amount of Rs 80.40 crore has been spent on this work."

The Haryana Police on Friday revoked the imposition of the National Security Act (NSA), 1980 against some union leaders of the Ambala district after announcing it late on Thursday night, officials said. Sibash Kabiraj, IGP Ambala Range said that the NSA will not be invoked against the farm leaders.

According to various reports, nnother protesting farmer died at Khanouri border taking the toll to 5 during the ongoing protest under a call for Delhi Chalo. The 62-years-old farmer Darshan Singh from village Amarpura in district Bathinda was putting up at Khanouri border since February 13. He felt uneasy at around midnight on Thursday and died upon being taken to hospital.

"In 2021, when the four black farm laws were withdrawn by the government, there was a commitment made to the farmers, that a law would be brought on MSP. It has been three years since then, and no law has been brought. I demand a special session of the Parliament be summoned immediately and a law guaranteeing the MSP to farmers on crops across the board should be passed. Those who ordered the firing on farmers which has resulted in the unfortunate death of a young boy from Bathinda, who was only exercising his right to protest...The Punjab government should give the status of 'Shaheed' to him."

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announces that the family of Shubhkaran Singh, who died during the farmers' movement on the Khanuri border, will be given financial assistance of Rs 1 crore by the Punjab government and also a government job to his younger sister. Due legal action will be taken against the culprits.

On cabinet decisions regarding modification in the implementation mechanism for Farmers Welfare Scheme KALIA (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation), Odisha Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain says, "Today is the red letter day for poor students who belong to the farmer community. It's a flagship program that started in 2018-19 and now we have extended it for three more years... The other decision is that under the same flagship program, we have suspended the datelines that were fixed for April 1 and September 1 as the release dates of the KALIA assistance. We have made it open, to make it more manageable and flexible if the farmers are under stress and whenever the govt feels that the input has to be purchased. The third decision is about those landless agricultural households, who are already registered under our department, 18 lakh families were given Rs 12,500 in 2018-19 as they were under stress, and now as the farmers are under stress not only in Odisha but around the country, hence the CM has decided to give another dose of Rs 2000 to all those 18 lakhs families..." (ANI)

The Ambala district police in Haryana have taken action against farmer leaders who have been actively participating in the ongoing protests at the state border. They have invoked the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, against these leaders. According to an official statement released by the Ambala police, farmers' unions have been making continuous attempts to break the barricades at Shambhu border since February 13, in connection with their call to march towards Delhi.

The General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Sarwan Singh Pandher on Friday slammed the Punjab government for not filing an FIR on the death of farmer youth at the Khanauri Border during the ongoing protests. Pandher questioned the delay in filing the FIR though all the deamands were accepted during the talks. (ANI)

In response to the rising incidents of property damage, the Ambala police highlighted legal consequences for those involved. Citing the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act 1984, the authorities emphasized that individuals causing harm to public property during the movement or those advocating for such actions could be held accountable. According to the Act's provisions, both the instigators and the officials of the involved organizations may be deemed responsible for any damage caused during the protests, potentially facing legal ramifications for their actions. The situation remains tense as authorities work to restore order and assess the full extent of the damages incurred.

On Thursday, the Karnataka Assembly passed resolutions calling on the Centre to establish a minimum support price for all crops and to ensure equal distribution and non-discriminatory allocation of financial resources. The Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil read out a resolution in support of farmers, stating that the house unanimously resolves to urge the central government to create legislation regarding the fixation of minimum support price for all crops.

A group of farmers in Noida and Greater Noida had proposed a 'Delhi march,' which they have now called off after a meeting with the local administration and the police. This protest was unrelated to the ongoing Dilli Chalo march and was originally scheduled for today.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher says, "Dialogues were being held with the Punjab Government after the death of Shubhkaran Singh...All our demands were accepted, that case u/s 302 (murder) be filed against those who attacked, that Punjab Government give the status of 'martyr' to Shubhkaran Singh, that discussions on compensation were held with his family, and that a Board will be constituted for his postmortem & its videography will be done...It has been more than 14 hours now but Punjab Government is not giving any answer. So, Shubhkaran Singh's body is lying in the hospital. Punjab Government is insulting the martyrdom of our martyrs, this is condemnable. They are saying that the site of the incident will have to be investigated - whether it is located in Punjab or Haryana...I don't think we will be able to perform the last rites of Shubhkaran Singh as of now. The dialogues with the Punjab Government are yet to complete."

(From ANI)

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) led by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) will observe a 'Black Friday' on Friday to mourn the death of a farmer at the Khanauri Border crossing in Sangrur district, Punjab. Additionally, the SKM will hold a tractor march on highways towards the national capital.

The farmers who are protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border are planning to hold a crucial meeting on Friday evening. They will discuss their next steps in the agitation and plan to restart the Dilli Chalo march, which was temporarily called off after a farmer passed away on Wednesday.

Good morning and welcome to the Moneycontrol LIVE news blog on the farmers' protests. Stay tuned for the latest updates and developments on the issue.