Protesting farmers agree to fresh talks with Centre

Farmers have called strike in support of their 21 demands.

Farmer groups led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha on February 14 agreed to a fresh dialogue with the Centre over their demands.

Farmers largely from Punjab, Haryana and some parts of Uttar Pradesh have called for protests in Delhi in support of a range of demands including a law to assure a minimum support price for their produce.

“Through reports we have come across that the government has claimed it is ready for talks and finding resolution to farmers’ issues. We do not want to give them any excuse and accept their offer to hold talks. Our priority is that talks are held in Chandigarh or anywhere near the protest site,” said SKM leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal.

Earlier, Union Minister for Agriculture Arjun Munda had said the Centre is ready to hold a new round of talks with farmers, whose protest entered the second day on February 14, but they must ensure a conducive environment for such discussions.

Munda said the BJP-led Centre was always willing to talks to farmer unions but they must understand that a decision on the laws they were demanding cannot be made in haste.

“Implementing a law without careful consideration can lead to problems for everyone in the near future and attract criticism. All aspects of the law must be carefully considered and discussed,” said the minister, who was part of earlier round of talks with farmer leaders.

A thick security blanket has been thrown around the national capital, with various entry points sealed to prevent a repeat of year-long protests in 2021 when farmers laid siege to the capital demanding the scrapping of three farm laws, which were withdrawn.