Farmers' protest highlights: Haryana Police uses tear gas to prevent farmers from moving towards Delhi

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. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said that the "misconception" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will get cleared as people of the country were with the farmers protesting in Delhi against the farm laws passed by the Centre.

He said it is "height of insensitivity" of the Centre that even after 39 days of farmers protest, it is not paying any heed. The government believes that farmers will get tired and the issue will gradually meet an end.

"Farmers are sensible that they are protesting peacefully. The feelings of people in six lakh villages are with the protesting farmers. Misconception of Modi ji and Shah ji will get cleared in the times to come," Gehlot said here.

. Haryana Police on Sunday evening fired tear gas canisters to thwart a march of a group of agitating farmers towards Delhi at Masani barrage in Rewari district.

Farmers first broke police barricades put up near Bhudla Sangwari village and then started moving towards Delhi in the evening.

They have been camping at the service lane of the Delhi-Jaipur highway for the past few days, police said.

When the farmers’ group reached Masani barrage where the barricades were put up, police used teargas to disperse them.

. A day before the crucial seventh round of talks between the Centre and protesting farmer unions, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday and discussed the government strategy to resolve the current crisis at the earliest, sources said.

Tomar discussed with Singh "all possible options" to find a "middle path" to resolve the crisis, sources added.

Singh, who served as agriculture minister in the erstwhile Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet, has emerged as a key troubleshooter and is working mostly behind the scenes on this issue.

. Farmer leaders protesting at Delhi’s Singhu border on Sunday said they will celebrate the festival of Lohri on January 13 by burning copies of newly introduced agriculture laws.

They also said they will observe the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on January 23 as ‘Azad Hind Kisan Diwas’

"We will celebrate the Lohri festival on January 13 by burning the copies of farm laws,” farmers’ leader Manjeet Singh Rai said.

Rai also urged people to hold protests in support of farmers across India from January 6 to 20.

Lohri is mostly celebrated in north India, marking the beginning of the spring season. Bonfires are a special characteristic of the festival

. The Singhu border on the outskirts of Delhi, which has been a protest site for farmers for over a month, turned into a kabaddi ground for a women's tournament on Sunday with rains not dampening the spirit.

A total of 12 women teams participated in the tournament, which started around 11 am.

Sukhwinder Singh (55), joint Secretary of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee Punjab, who hails from Tarn Taran district of Punjab, said the women themselves came forward to participate in the tournament.

. Hundreds of farmers from various regions of Maharashtra, joined by students and people from various walks of life, on Sunday night left for Delhi from Nagpur to join cultivators who have been protesting at the borders of the national capital for over a month seeking the repeal of three agri laws, a Kisan Sabha leader said.

. We will demand repealing 3 Farm laws in our meeting tomorrow with govt... It's been raining, so we're trying to get waterproof tents although they're not up to govt standard. We're trying to arrange blankets and warm water for women & elderly: Harmeet Singh Kadian, Farmers' Leader.

. "Along with the people of the country, I am also disturbed seeing the condition of the 'annadatas' who have been agitating for 39 days at the borders of Delhi in the bitter cold and rain in support of their demands," Gandhi said.

. In a scathing attack on the Centre over the farmers' protests, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday said that for the first time since independence such an "arrogant" government has come to power that cannot see the sufferings of 'annadatas', and demanded that the new farm laws be immediately withdrawn unconditionally.

In a statement in Hindi, she said governments and their leaders who ignore public sentiments in a democracy cannot govern for long and it is now quite clear that the protesting farmers will not bow in the face of the Centre's policy of "tire and pushover".

"There is still time, the Modi government should leave the arrogance of power and immediately withdraw the three black laws unconditionally to end the agitation of the farmers who are dying in the cold and rain. This is Rajdharma and a true tribute to the farmers who have lost their lives," Gandhi said.

. Waterlogged tents, soaked firewood and blankets, and cold conditions -- farmers camping at Delhi borders in protest against new farm laws had a difficult morning on Sunday due to overnight rains.

The continuous downpour led to waterlogging at agitation venues and waterproof tents did not help much, according to the protesters.

Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar, who is a member of Sankyukt Kisan Morcha, said farmers have waterproof tents but they cannot protect them from biting cold and waterlogging.

. Farmers based in Punjab have sent legal notices to Union Minister Giriraj Singh, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, and BJP leader Ram Madhav for their allegedly defamatory remarks on the farmers' stir outside the national capital, according to ANI.

. AAP leader Raghav Chadha on Saturday met 'arhtiyas' or commission agents who were recently raided by the Income Tax Department.

Chadha, who is AAP Punjab co-incharge, accused the Centre of harassing the commission agents for supporting farmers who were up in arms against the Centre's three farm laws.

"After harassing the farmers, the PM Modi-led central government is now troubling the Punjab arthiyas by imposing income tax raids at their offices and residences to intimidate them, because their only fault was supporting the farmers' movement and providing them help to make it more powerful," he said in a statement.

(PTI)

. Amid the ongoing farmers' protests against the three farm laws, a PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court asking it to direct the Centre and states to publish draft legislations prominently on government websites and in the public domain at least 60 days before introducing them in the Parliament and State Assemblies.

. Punjab BJP chief Ashwani Sharma on Saturday alleged that party leaders and workers were being attacked at the behest of the ruling Congress and blamed Chief Minister Amarinder Singh for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Speaking at a protest rally here against the state government, Sharma cited an incident wherein some people unloaded a cow dung trolley in front of BJP leader Tikshan Sud's house in Hoshiarpur on Friday.

. A 75-year-old farmer protesting against the Centre's new agri laws allegedly hanged himself at the Uttar Pradesh-Delhi border in Ghazipur on Saturday morning.

Sardar Kashmir Singh, a native of Bilaspur in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur district, hanged himself in a mobile toilet using a rope, police said.

. Stepping up pressure, agitating farmers on Saturday threatened to hold a ‘Kisaan Parade’ in the national capital on Republic Day if the Modi government did not agree to their demand for the repeal of the farm laws passed in September 2020.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the umbrella body of the agitating farmers’ organisations, made the announcement of parallel Republic Day celebrations at a press conference here ahead of Monday’s talks with the government.

The agitating farmers also announced a series of programmes from January 6 to January 23, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

. The Congress on Saturday urged the government to abandon its "obstinate attitude" and agree to the demands of the farmers protesting the new farm laws amid cold weather conditions.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said reports of deaths of farmers while protesting at the Delhi border amid harsh winter conditions are "disturbing".

"According to media reports, 57 farmers have lost their lives while scores are unwell. The government is showing gross insensitivity by not acceding to the demands of the protesting farmers," said the Congress general secretary and its Uttar Pradesh in-charge.

Reacting to a media report that a protesting farmer had reportedly committed suicide, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a tweet, "After Sant Baba Ram Singh from Karnal (Haryana) and Amarjeet Singh from Fazlika (Punjab), the news of Kashmir Singh from Bilaspur (Uttarakhand) sacrificing life in the farmers' movement is very distressing."

"The ruthless government should abandon its obstinate attitude and withdraw the three black laws immediately," Surjewala said in the tweet in Hindi.

Senior Congress leader and former Union minister P Chidambaram saluted the resoluteness of the farmers.

"The government must relent and agree to keep the farm laws in abeyance pending its repeal. Any new law must take into account the needs and desires of the farming community," he tweeted.

After the sixth round of formal negotiations on Wednesday, the government and farm unions reached some common ground to resolve protesting farmers' concerns over rise in power tariff and penalties for stubble burning, but the two sides remained deadlocked over the main contentious issues of the repeal of three farm laws and a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP).

(PTI)

. Punjab BJP chief Ashwani Sharma on Saturday alleged that party leaders and workers were being attacked at the behest of the ruling Congress and blamed Chief Minister Amarinder Singh for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Speaking at a protest rally here against the state government, Sharma cited an incident wherein some people unloaded a cow dung trolley in front of BJP leader Tikshan Sud's house in Hoshiarpur on Friday.

He said such things won't be tolerated.

BJP leaders and workers are being "attacked" at the behest of the Congress, Sharma claimed.

"All those who attacked the house of Tikshan have been identified," he said.

Despite a case being registered in the matter, those who were behind this incident have not yet been arrested, he added.

Sharma also demanded that a criminal case be registered against Ludhiana Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu for his recent "provocative and inflammatory" statement on the ongoing farmers' protest.

The state BJP chief said the party would launch an indefinite 'dharna' here from Monday until the state government orders registration of a case against Bittu.

According to reports, Bittu recently said that the ongoing farmers' protest would not end "and to achieve our objective, we can even pile up bodies, shed blood and go to any extent."

(PTI)

. Hardening their position ahead of the next round of talks with the government, protesting farmer unions on Saturday said they will take out a tractor parade towards Delhi on January 26, when the country will celebrate Republic Day, if their demands are not met.

Addressing a press conference, the union leaders said time has come for "decisive" action as their demands have not been addressed by the government yet.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade at Rajpath on January 26.

Farmer leader Darshan Pal Singh said their proposed parade will be called "Kisan Parade" and it will be be held after the Republic Day parade.

(PTI)

. While addressing a press conference in the national capital, Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav on January 2 said if farmers’ demands are not met till Jan 26 (Republic Day), then we will hold ‘Kisan Gantantra Parade’ in Delhi.

“We appeal to farmers from adjoining areas of national capital to be prepared and request every farmer family of country to send a member to Delhi if possible,” he added.

Earlier, a consensus had reached out on two of four issues. Next meeting between farmer unions and government will be held on January 4.

. Hardening their position ahead of the next round of talks with the government, protesting farmer unions on Saturday said they will take out a tractor parade towards Delhi on January 26, when the country will celebrate Republic Day, if their demands are not met.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be in the national capital on January 26. He will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade which will be held at Rajpath.

Addressing a press conference, farmer leader Darshan Pal Singh said their proposed parade will be called "Kisan Parade" and it will be be held after the Republic Day parade.

The next round of talks between the government and protesting farmer unions is scheduled to be held on January 4. On Friday, the unions had announced that they would have to take firm steps if the meeting fails to resolve the deadlock.

(PTI)

. Hardening their position ahead of the next round of talks with the government, protesting farmer unions on Saturday said they will take out a tractor parade towards Delhi on January 26, when the country will celebrate Republic Day, if their demands are not met.

. Hardening their position ahead of the next round of talks with the government, protesting farmer unions on Saturday said they will take out a tractor parade towards Delhi on January 26, when the country will celebrate Republic Day, if their demands are not met.

. Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday termed the death of a 57-year-old farmer due to heart attack while protesting against the Centre's new farm laws at the Ghazipur border as "disturbing", and accused the ruling BJP of being "heartless".

. If our demands are not met till January 26, then farmers will hold 'Kisan Gantantra Parade' in Delhi. We appeal to farmers from adjoining areas of national capital to be prepared and request every farmer family of the country to send a member to Delhi if possible: Yogendra Yadav, Swaraj India

(ANI)

. (PTI)

. Regarding contract farming, in the new bill, there can't be an investigation against farmer even if he is at fault. It also states there won't be any agreement regarding land of the farmer. The bill is favourable for farmers & PM wants them to become 'atma nirbhar': MoS Kailash Chaudhary

(ANI)

. I am confident that in the next round of talks with farmers, a solution will be reached & ongoing protest will come to an end. Three farm bills are in favour of farmers. They used to demand to get rid of middleman & sell their produce at rate of their choice: MoS Kailash Chaudhary

(ANI)

. Only the Aam Aadmi Party can take Punjab on the path of progress and it will form government in the state with a "landslide victory" in the 2022 assembly elections, party leader Raghav Chadha said on Friday.

Addressing a press conference here, Chadha, who is the AAP's Punjab co-incharge, alleged that the state had been "looted" by the SAD-BJP and the Congress governments.

. A 57-year-old farmer died of heart attack while protesting against the Centre’s farm laws at the Ghazipur border here on Friday.

Mohar Singh, a resident of Bhagwanpur Nangal village in Baghpat district, was rushed to a nearby hospital where the doctors declared him brought dead, an official said.

Indirapuram DSP Anshu Jain told PTI that as per medical information, the farmer died of a heart attack.

(PTI)

. Turban langar organised by 'Khalsa Youth Group' at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana Border) on January 1.

Farmers are protesting against the Centre's farm laws for over 30 days at Singhu border.

A consensus has reached out on two of four issues. Next meeting between farmer unions and government will be held on January 4.

. They said that only five per cent of the issues raised by them have so far been discussed in meetings with the government.

. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday said that the government is hopeful of a "positive outcome" at its next meeting with farmers' unions on January 4 but refrained from predicting whether the seventh round of talks will be the last one, saying he is not an astrologer.

. A group of people unloaded a dung-laden trolley in front of a Punjab BJP leader’s house in Hoshirpur on Friday, prompting Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to warn those protesting over the new farm laws not to take law in their hands.

Some people, believed to be farmers, unloaded the trolley in front of the residence of former Punjab minister Tikshan Sud in Hoshiarpur.

They also raised slogans against the Centre for its alleged callous attitude towards farmers' demands.

Annoyed by the act, BJP workers led by Tikshan Sud staged a dharna on the Rai Bahadur Jodhamal road in Hoshiarpur, seeking action against those responsible for it.

Meanwhile, Punjab BJP chief Ashwani Kumar Sharma condemned the incident.

He said some mischievous persons under the garb of farmers “attacked” the residence of Sud, only to disturb peace and brotherhood in the state.

Punjab CM Amarinder Singh too took a serious note of the incident and said invasion of privacy will bring a bad name to the peaceful agitation of farmers and defeat its very objective.

He warned protesters not to take law in their hands in their fight for the farmers' rights.

After months of showing exemplary restraint and not indulging in any violence or lawlessness in Punjab as well as at the borders of the national capital, some protesters are losing restraint despite being categorically asked by farmer leaders to keep the protests peaceful, said the CM in a statement.

(PTI)

. "In Haryana, all toll plazas will remain free. All the petrol pumps & malls, except private, will be shut. Leaders of BJP & Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) will face protests in the state & this will continue till their govt of alliance breaks," said Vikas Sisar, Haryana farmer leader.

(ANI)

. "It seems govt is taking farmers lightly. Govt was able to disperse Shaheen Bagh protestors, they were thinking to do the same with us but such a day will never come.If govt doesn't take a decision on Jan 4 then farmers will have to take decision," said Yudhvir Singh,Bhartiya Kisan Union.

(ANI)

. "The next round of talks with govt will be held on January 4, 2021 & if our demands are not accepted, we will hold march at Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) on January 6. We will announce a date about when & move forward from Shahjahanpur border," said Yogendra Yadav, Swaraj India.

"The claims that 50 percent of issues have been resolved are false. Our two main demands — three farm bills should be scrapped and legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) are still pending," he said.

(ANI)

. Opposition Leader M K Stalin on Friday sought convening of a Special Session of the in Tamil Nadu Assembly to pass a resolution rejecting the three farm laws of the Union Government.

His letter to Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami comes a day after the Kerala Assembly passed a “unanimous resolution” against the laws against which farmers from several states are up in arms.

. With more women joining the farmers' protest at the Singhu border here over the last few days, an NGO is installing bio-toilets made using recycled material to ensure that they don't have to worry about the lack of basic amenities.

Days after farmers from different states set up camp at various border points of Delhi to protest the Centre's new agricultural reforms in late November last year, many women protesters were forced to head back home due to the unavailability of clean toilets and bathing spaces.

(PTI)

. 'Nagar Kirtan' organised at Singhu border where farmers have been protesting against the Centre's farm laws for over 30 days.

A consensus has been reached out on two of four issues. Next meeting between farmer unions and government will be held on January 4.

. The entire country is celebrating the New Year 2021 with full zeal and enthusiasm. Farmers protesting at the Singhu border against the farm laws also welcomed the New Year by lighting candles. Fireworks were also seen at the border. Farmers sang melodious songs to cherish each other’s morale.

. DMK chief M K Stalin on Friday urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami to take a cue from Punjab and Kerala and get a resolution adopted in the state assembly seeking repeal of the three contentious Cenrtal farm laws, against which farmers have been protesting near Delhi.

Stalin, the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly, wrote to the chief minister seeking convening of a special session of the House immediately for the purpose, a day after the Kerala Assembly adopted a resolution pressing for repeal of the laws.

Farmers, mainly from Punjab and Haryana, have been protesting for nearly 40 days near Delhi demanding scrapping of the Central agri laws, contending that they were harmful to their interests, a charge rejected by the government.

(PTI)

. (ANI)

. Opposition Leader M K Stalin on Friday sought convening of a Special Session of the in Tamil Nadu Assembly to pass a resolution rejecting the three farm laws of the Union Government. His letter to Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami comes a day after the Kerala Assembly passed a “unanimous resolution” against the laws against which farmers from several states are up in arms.

(DHNS)

. Thousands of farmers stayed put at their protest venues near Delhi's border on Friday, braving a severe chill as the mercury dipped to 1.1 degrees Celsius on the New Year's Day, the lowest in 15 years, as talks with the government made little headway.

. Thousands of farmers protesting at the Singhu border for over a month now will ring in the New Year sans any celebrations.

"There is no New Year for us until the government accepts our demands," said Harjinder Singh from Punjab's Ropar, who has been camping at the Delhi-Haryana border since November 25.

. Causing major embarrassment to the BJP, the lone BJP MLA in Kerala, O Rajagopal on Thursday backed a resolution in Kerala Assembly against the Centre's farm laws on Thursday.

. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday accused the BJP's state unit of provoking farmers in the state over the issue of electricity supply.

In a statement, he said that if the party leaders are concerned for farmers, then they should suggest their central leaders to accept the demands of the agriculturists who are demanding the withdrawal of the three farm laws.

(PTI)

. There is no alternative to farmers' demands of legal guarantee for MSP and repealing the new agri laws, farmer leaders said on Thursday, a day after talks between the Centre and the protesting unions remained deadlocked over the two contentious issues.

. Farmers have been on a dharna at the site, blocking the road for several days in protest over the three new agri-marketing laws enacted at the Centre.

. Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday said the Congress wanted a special session of the state assembly so a no-confidence motion could be brought against the M L Khattar government, but despite multiple attempts to meet the governor over the issue they were yet to get time from him.

Hooda, who is the leader of the opposition, said two of the seven Independent MLAs have already withdrawn support to the BJP-JJP government, while many JJP MLAs have openly come out in support offarmersprotesting against the Centre's new farm laws.

"We earlier wrote to the governor urging him to summon a special session, stating that the Congress wants to bring a no-confidence motion because this government has lost the trust of the people as well as some MLAs.

"We did not get a response following which we again sought time to meet, but we were told that he could not meet due to Covid-19," Hooda said.

PTI

. In an unprecedented move, BJP's lone member in the Kerala Assembly, O Rajagopal, on Thursday, supported the resolution seeking scrapping of the three contentious farm laws against which farmers have been agitating for over a month at the Delhi border.

. The central government and farmer unions reached a consensus on two issues on December 30 during the sixth round of talks at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

. If Kerala govt is so particular that every farmer should sell his produce as per APMC act, Kerala should enact such a law. GoI has brought this law to give better remuneration to farmers: V Muraleedharan, MoS MEA on Kerala Assembly passing resolution against 3 farm laws

(ANI)

. Shingara Singh has grown grain for 35 years and is one of the thousands of protesters against agricultural reforms who have the power to help slash a huge annual bill of $10 billion for imports of vegetable oils.

. Security remained tight at the Delhi borders with hundreds of personnel deployed at Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri border points where the farmers have been camping.

. (ANI)

. "Similar farm laws were promised by Congress in their poll manifesto. CPI(M) also demanded to bring in such laws. Now, both parties are opposing it. Farmers shouldn't be misguided," he says.

(ANI)

. (PTI)

. (ANI)

. Credit: PTI Photo

. Taking a note of the damage to over 1,600 mobile towers during farmers’ protest against the Centre’s laws, Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore on Wednesday decided to summon the state's chief secretary and director general of police (DGP) to seek a report on it.

Meanwhile, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has written to Punjab CM, seeking his intervention into the matter.

(PTI)

. The Rajasthan government has decided to run a week-long 'Kisan Bachao-Desh Bachao' campaign from January 5 in all villages of the state in the backdrop of the farmers' protest against the Centre's new agri laws.

(PTI)

. A US Congressman has hailed the Indian government's efforts to engage with the protesting farmers to "ensure" that the legislation reflects their input and interests as well.

. The government and farmers on Wednesday claimed forward movement on the latter's concerns over the amendments to the electricity act and on decriminalizing stubble burning, raising hopes of a resolution to the 35-day agitation on the borders of the national capital.

. AAP leader Raghav Chadha on Wednesday installed five hotspot devices at the Singhu border providing internet access to the thousands of farmers protesting there against the three new agriculture laws.

Chadha said many more WiFi devices will be installed in the coming days as per the requirement of the protesters.

On Tuesday, Chadha had announced that free WiFi hotspots will be set up at the Singhu border for the farmers who have been camping there for over a month to oppose the contentious farm laws enacted by the Centre in September.

Chadha who is also the AAP's Punjab co-in-charge visited the Singhu border, where protesters include a large number of farmers from the state, and installed five WiFi hotspots and checked their functioning.

(PTI)

. The former Congress president also shared the online survey, asking, "Mr Modi is refusing to repeal the anti-farmer laws because he is:" and gave the options "anti-farmer", "run by crony capitalists", "arrogant" or "all of the above".

. The NDA government at the Centre can amend the new farm laws and incorporate minimum support price (MSP)or withdraw them to end the over a month-long agitation by farmers near Delhi, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said on Wednesday.

Observing that thousands of farmers were protesting, he said it must be understood that their demands "are genuine. It is in national interest that the Modi government accepts the demands," he told reporters.

"There is a very easy way out for the government. The Prime Minister should tell the nation that they are going to amend the law and include MSP. Or, can take back those three laws," he said, responding to a question on the agitation.

On reports that 39 Indian sailors of two cargo ships were stuck in China, he said the Centre should take steps to bring them back.

"It is high time that the government reacts to it. I want the Prime Minister to at least please tweet on it. Let the Prime Minister react and get them back," Owaisi said.

(PTI)

. With its telecom infrastructure in the state being damaged during farmers' protest, Reliance Jio has written to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh seeking his intervention for action against those responsible for the incidents of "sabotage and vandalism".

In a letter to the chief minister, Jio flagged the acts of sabotage and vandalism at its network sites "by unknown persons in the disguise of ongoing farmers agitation".

It alleged that the damage being inflicted is "deliberate" in nature with "ulterior motives and clear intent" of causing maximum disruption to the company's infrastructure and services.

"We humbly request for your kind intervention by a direction from your good office to the district administration to take action against the miscreants who caused this damage, and prevention of any further damage as apart from losses to the infrastructure, people of Punjab are suffering because their life is getting impacted severely in carrying out their day to day activity, education, business, study etc," Jio said in the letter to the chief minister on December 27.

(PTI)

. Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar were seen eating food with farmer leaders at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi on December 30.

Farmer leaders, Union Ministers had lunch together during a break in meeting.

Several rounds of talks between farmer leaders, Centre have not bore fruit as of now.

. The government on Wednesday offered to set up a committee on better implementation of MSP procurement system and also put on hold proposed laws on electricity charges and stubble burning penal provisions, but union leaders stuck to their main demand of the repeal of three contentious farm laws as their sixth round of negotiations continued for more than four hours.

. "Farmers feel that if reform is introduced in the Electricity Act, they'll suffer loss. Unions wanted that electricity subsidy given to farmers by states for irrigation should continue. The consensus was reached on this issue also," said Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.

"There were 4 points on agenda today, out of which 2 points have been agreed upon. Talks concluded on a very good note, which further resulted in the formation of a healthy environment. Unions want 3 farm laws to be repealed," he said.

"Govt has been saying that MSP will continue. We are ready to give this in writing. But farmers' unions feel MSP should get legal status. So the discussion will continue on the legal aspect of MSP & other issues on Jan 4 at 2 pm," the minister said.

. "Today's talks were held in a very good environment & it concluded on a positive note. Consensus on 2 out of 4 issues was reached between both sides," said Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on 6th round of talks with farmers' unions at Vigyan Bhawan.

"Considering the chilly weather in Delhi, I have requested the farmer leaders to send home the elderly, women and children. The next round of talks will be held on January 4," he said.

. The 'langar' (community kitchen) food arrived in a van at the meeting venue, Vigyan Bhawan, after around two hours of discussions had taken place and the two sides took a break for tea and snacks.

. In an exclusive interview with ANI Editor Smita Prakash in the national capital, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke on farmers’ protest.

Rajnath Singh said, “I'd like to say about prime minister of any country that comment shouldn't be made about India's internal affairs. India doesn't require any outside interference. It is our internal matter. No country has the right to comment on our internal affairs.”

. "After new farm laws were implemented in Uttar Pradesh, prices of crops have fallen by 50 per cent. Crops are being bought at below MSP. Paddy is being sold at Rs 800 per quintal. We will raise these issues in the meeting," Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait told reporters.

"We will not leave Delhi till our demands are met. We will celebrate New year at borders" he said.

Punjab farmer leader Baldev Singh Sirsa came for the meeting carrying placards of media reports of fraudulent cases reported in Guna and Hosangabad after implementation of the new laws.

"We don't have any new agenda. The government is maligning us by saying farmers are not coming for talks. So we gave December 29 date for talks. We have given them our clear agenda but the government is insisting that laws are beneficial for farmers," Sirsa said.

(PTI)

. Three union ministers joined farm leaders on Wednesday to share 'langar' food arranged by protesting farmers during their sixth round of talks to resolve the deadlock over new farm laws.

The 'langar' (community kitchen) food arrived in a van at the meeting venue, Vigyan Bhawan, after around two hours of discussions had taken place and the two sides took a break for tea and snacks.

Sources present at the venue said that Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Food and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash joined the farmer leaders to share their langar food during the break.

Farmer leaders said that the talks were continuing and they were going 'agenda wise'.

Before start of the meeting, some union leaders had said farmers in some parts of the country are being forced to sell crops including paddy below the Minimum Support Price as market rates have fallen and asserted that the agitation will continue till the government agrees to their demands.

(PTI)

. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday claimed that the ruling BJP's ground level workers also want withdrawal of three new farm laws as they feel they will not be able to face the people.

. In an exclusive interview with ANI Editor Smita Prakash in the national capital, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke on usage of derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during farmers’ protest.

Rajnath Singh said, “Derogatory remarks shouldn't be made against a Prime Minister. PM is not just an individual but an institution. I have never used abusive words against any former prime minister. ‘Mar Ja, Mar Ja’ slogans were raised against Prime Minister, I felt really hurt,” Defence Minister added.

. "After new farm laws were implemented in Uttar Pradesh, prices of crops have fallen by 50 per cent. Crops are being bought at below MSP. Paddy is being sold at Rs 800 per quintal. We will raise these issues in the meeting," Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said.

. The sixth round of talks between the protesting farmer unions and three Central ministers got underway here Wednesday afternoon to break the over one-month-long deadlock on the recent agri laws.

. Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash is hopeful that farmers’ agitation will end today as all the issues including MSP will be discussed in the meeting.

“We hope that the talks will be decisive. Talks will be held on all issues including MSP with an open heart. I hope that farmers' agitation ends today,” said Union Minister Parkash.

. As farmers' protest against three new farm laws continues, union leaders on Wednesday said peasants in some parts of the country are being forced to sell crops including paddy below the Minimum Support Price as market rates have fallen and asserted that the agitation will continue till the government agrees to their demands.

"After new farm laws were implemented in Uttar Pradesh, prices of crops have fallen by 50 per cent. Crops are being bought at below MSP. Paddy is being sold at Rs 800 per quintal. We will raise these issues in the meeting," Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said.

Before entering the venue of the sixth round of talks between farmer groups and the government, Tikait told reporters that farmers will continue their stir if the government does not agree to our demands.

"We will not leave Delhi till our demands are met. We will celebrate New year at borders" he said.

Punjab farmer leader Baldev Singh Sirsa came for the meeting carrying placards of media reports of fraudulent cases reported in Guna and Hosangabad after implementation of the new laws.

"We don't have any new agenda. The government is maligning us by saying farmers are not coming for talks. So we gave December 29 date for talks. We have given them our clear agenda but the government is insisting that laws are beneficial for farmers," Sirsa said.

(PTI)

. (ANI)

. Thousands of farmers agitating against the three new central agriculture laws stayed put at their agitation venues near Delhi, which is going through a harsh spell of winter, unrelenting in their demand of withdrawal of the farm laws.

. (ANI)

. Union Government will hold sixth round of talks with the protesting farmers today.

(ANI)

. (ANI)

. It's essential to have strong opposition in the country whom the govt fears but here they don't. This is why farmers had to come on roads. The opposition should sit in pitched tents & stage protest on roads against the farm laws: Rakesh Tikait, Bharatiya Kisan Union at Ghazipur border

(ANI)

. Five rounds of talks between farmers and govt have taken place. We don't think we will reach a solution even today. The three farm laws should be repealed: Sukhwinder Singh Sabra, Joint Secy, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab ahead of the sixth round of talks with govt

(ANI)

. (ANI)

. Our Sikh brothers have always protected the culture of India. Their contribution will be remembered for protecting the country's self-respect. There is no question on their integrity: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

(ANI)

. These allegations should not be made by anyone against farmers. We express our deepest respect towards them. Our heads bow in respect towards our farmers. They are our 'annadatas': Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on being asked about farmers being termed 'naxals' and 'khalistanis'

(ANI)

. The Centre is working in the interest of corporations and is not bothered about the farmers protesting at Delhi's border in this cold weather, Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders alleged here on Tuesday as the opposition party reached out to the community over the new farm laws brought by the government.

SP workers met farmers in Jhandupura village and extended support to those protesting against the three new laws brought by the Centre, which "are being forced" on them.

(PTI)

. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's comments on the United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) leadership can destabilize the Maharashtra government, Union minister Ramdas Athawale claimed here on Tuesday.

(PTI)

. Farmers burnt copies of the three new agri-marketing laws at the Delhi-Noida border on Tuesday, even as they remained resolved in their demand for withdrawal of the contentious legislation for the 29th day.

(PTI)

. The recurring images on media of lakhs of farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi, huddled together under the sharp sun during the day and covered in thick blankets facing biting cold at night, their stern visage weather-beaten and deeply furrowed, like their lands, are haunting.

. Ahead of talks with the Centre, farmers agitating on the borders of Delhi have asked the government to stick to the chronology of the issues listed by them by spelling out the modalities or repeal of the three farm laws.

. Ahead of crucial talks between the Centre and agitating farmers, the Congress on Wednesday demanded legal sanctity to the demands of farmers, including that on ensuring minimum support price.

Addressing a joint press conference, Congress leaders Rajeev Shukla and Govind Dotasra said the government must immediately repeal the three new farm laws and bring fresh ones after incorporating the demands of farmers.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet that the youth, public and farmers are being attacked by the Modi government.

"Unemployment has hit the youth, public is facing atrocities on account of inflation and the farmers are attacked with the new laws of 'friends'. This is the Modi government," he tweeted in Hindi, citing a news report that claimed that 35 lakh jobs were taken away in the country in the month of November due to the lockdown.

Shukla said it was also wrong on the part of the government to dub the farmers agitation as "political".

(PTI)

. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday demanding a waiver of the outstanding loans taken by farmers from nationalised and Bhoomi Vikas banks.

According to an RTI reply, the Modi government, in its first tenure, had waived loans amounting to Rs 7.95 lakh crore of industrialists, but had not done anything for farmers, Gehlot said in a statement.

After the formation of the Congress government in Rajasthan in 2018, the loans of 20.56 lakh people worth Rs 8,000 crore were waived in the state, he added.

(PTI)

. “Ever since the BJP-led government came to power, it is making every effort to increase the farmer’s income,” Mathura’s BJP MP told reporters through a video link. Earlier, she also talked to officials here through video conferencing.

. "We have been distributing green jalebis from the last few days. Nearly five quintals of the sweet are distributed everyday," Jasvir Chand, a protesting farmer, said.

. In a letter to the government on December 26, the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha – the umbrella organisation leading the 34-day agitation – had listed out four issues – modalities for repeal of the three farm laws, legal guarantee for procurement of farm produce at minimum support price, relaxation in penalties for stubble burning and shelving amendments to the Electricity Act.

. Through the letter, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha also formally accepted the government's invitation for the dialogue.

. Workers affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions will organise nationwide protest actions in more than one lakh workplaces on Wednesday, and conduct gherao of district collectorates and 'jail bharo' (fill the jails) on January 7-8 in solidarity with farmers protesting against the contentious farms laws and demanding repeal of the "anti-worker" labour codes.

Announcing the protest plans, CITU General Secretary Tapan Sen said these actions will be in addition to the support and solidarity actions already done by the CPI(M)-supported trade union.

. The farmers' bodies protesting against the Centre's new farm laws are against any act which causes damage to mobile towers or other public or private property, a senior leader of one of Punjab's largest farmer organisations said on Tuesday.

He said various protesting farmer outfits have asked their supporters and workers not to indulge in such activities.

“The farmer organisations which are protesting against the new farm laws are against such things. We never back such things where some people damage mobile towers or cause damage to public or private property,” Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh told PTI.

He reiterated that his outfit and others have made a strong appeal to people not to do any such act which may damage public property.

On Monday, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had said that 1,561 mobile towers have been "impacted" in the state during the farmers' stir, and directed the police to take strict action against vandalisation and disruption of telecom services.

(PTI)

. A day before the next round of talks between the Centre and the farmers protesting against the three new agri laws, Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal met senior BJP leader and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Sources said they discussed and finalised the government's position for the Wednesday meeting, a source said.

Agriculture Minister Tomar, Railway Minister Goyal and MoS Commerce and Industry Som Parkash have been representing the Centre in dialogues with the farmers.

It has been over a month now that thousands of farmers, especially from Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh, are camping at Delhi's borders seeking repeal of the three farm laws enacted in September by the Centre. They have threatened to intensify their stir in the coming days if their demands are not fulfilled.

The government has invited 40 protesting farmer unions on December 30 for the next round of talks on all relevant issues to find a "logical solution" to the current impasse over the three laws.

(PTI)

. Protesting farmer unions have deferred to Thursday their proposed tractor march against the contentious agriculture laws, so that the rally does not clash with their talks with the government on Wednesday.

. According to police, the crack down at Dak Bungalow crossing was preceded by skirmishes between the demonstrators and police and administrative officials at the Gandhi Maidan, the starting point of the rally, where agitators took exception to their entry being allowed inside the sprawling public ground only through one of the many gates.

. Farmers' organisations write to the Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture saying,"We accept invitation for talks at 2 pm on Dec 30"; reiterate their proposed agenda for talks incl modalities to repeal farm laws, & mechanism to bring law for providing legal guarantee on MSP.

. Several people were injured here on Tuesday in a lathi charge at a busy crossing in the heart of the city when police personnel tried to stop a procession, taken out in protest against the farm laws from heading towards the Raj Bhavan.

Traffic was thrown out of gear as thousands of protestors, comprising members of various farmers organizations and pro-Left outfits, marched through Frazer Road before they were thwarted at the Dak Bungalow crossing.

According to police, the crack down at Dak Bungalow crossing was preceded by skirmishes between the demonstrators and police and administrative officials at the Gandhi Maidan, the starting point of the rally, where agitators took exception to their entry being allowed inside the sprawling public ground only through one of the many gates.

Police sources said the restriction was put in place to avoid a stamped-like situation.

The demonstrators alleged that it was an attempt to suppress their voice.

Later, when they reached the Dak Bungalow crossing, about a kilometre and a half away, officials deployed there told the demonstrators that their march could not be allowed beyond that point.

(PTI)

. Free WiFi hotspots will be set up at Singhu border for the protesting farmers, AAP leader Raghav Chadha said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference, he said the decision has been taken by "farmers' 'sevadar Arvind Kejriwal".

"We want the farmers to stay in touch with their family. We have identified a few spots to install the WiFi hotspots. This is an initiative of Arvind Kejriwal and the party," Chadha said.

He said more such hotspots will be installed if there is more demand.

(PTI)

. Residents of Amritsar held a ‘jaago’ march in the city against Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and its three newly enacted farm laws. The aim of the march was to draw Centre’s attention and to tell them repeal the three farm laws. Farmers of Punjab and other states are sitting at different borders of Delhi to protest against the farm laws.

. Food Corporation of India (FCI), the state grain procurement agency, buys rice and wheat from growers every season at guaranteed prices but farmers fear that those purchases may end under new agricultural laws at the centre of recent protests.

. (ANI)

. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday said that 1,561 mobile towers have been "impacted" in the state during the farmers' stir against the agri laws and directed the police to take strict action against vandalisation and disruption of telecom services.

Asserting that he will not let Punjab plunge into anarchy at any cost and nobody can be allowed to take the law into their hands, the chief minister said he has been forced to toughen his stance as his repeated appeals to perpetrators of such acts had been ignored.

(PTI)

. In a press release issued in his native village Ralegan Siddhi in adjoining Ahmednagar district, the veteran anti-corruption crusader said he has decided to "resume" his protest in Delhi from next month and has informed the Centre about his agitation.

(PTI)

. The farmers of India, led by the feisty fighters from Punjab, have made their opposition to the farm bills very clear. The issues are complex but faces never-before seen on TV and on YouTube have explained them rather well and told us why they stand against the bills that were rushed through Parliament with no debate. To the extent the new laws are the handiwork of the BJP and are pushed by its leadership, the protesters have taken a stand against the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is a political fight in which the PM isn’t backing down yet, but he isn’t in the lead.

. Leader of Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and senior Samajwadi Party leader Ram Govind Chaudhary on Monday exhorted farmers for a "do or die battle" with the government for the withdrawal of the new agriculture laws.

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