Delhi Chalo March: Govt, farmer leaders hold fourth round of talks; Haryana, Punjab internet ban extended update

The first meeting between farmer leaders and the central government panel including Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Nityanand Rai Four rounds of talks are ongoing in Chandigarh regarding their demand for an end to the ongoing ‘Delhi Chalo’ protests on the Punjab-Haryana border. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, following the United Kisan Morcha meeting in Ludhiana, farmers of the Punjab unit of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) said they would intensify the agitation if the government does not agree to their demands.

“We have a meeting on February 22. This government has deceived us. If the government does not agree to our demands, we will intensify this agitation,” the farmers said.

“The United Kisan Morcha has taken a major decision at its meeting in Ludhiana. The residences of the BJP leaders will be surrounded on February 20, 21 and 22. However, in view of Shri Guru Ravidas Jayanti , the train will not stop,” SKM farmers further said at a press conference.

Fourth round of talks between Union ministers and farmer leaders

Ministers and farmer leaders from both sides met earlier on February 8, 12 and 15, but the talks have yet to yield results.

Meanwhile, on orders from the Union Home Ministry, the suspension of internet services in parts of Punjab, including Patiala, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib, has been extended till February 24, while the ban on internet services in Haryana has also been extended till February 24. January 19th.

Farmers protest: Here are the latest updates of the day

• The suspension of internet services has been extended till February 24 in some parts of Punjab, including Patiala, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib.
• The ban on internet services in Haryana has been extended till February 19.
• The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called for a black flag protest against the NDA Member of Parliament (MP) on February 21.
• Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal asked the government to accept their demands before the model code of conduct for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections comes into effect.
• Meanwhile, after holding a meeting with 32 organizations of Punjab under the banner of United Kisan Morcha in Ludhiana today, farmers of Punjab SKM unit said that a national meeting of farmers’ organizations will be held in Delhi on February 22. During the meeting, A decision will be taken to launch the campaign nationwide.
• “On February 22, it has been decided to surround the houses of all BJP leaders in the state. All toll plazas in the state will also be free on these three days. However, as per the appeal of Dera Ballan chief in view of Guru Ravidas Jayanti, trains It will not stop during this period,” the farmers said in a statement.
• Ahead of the fourth round of talks, as farmers, a large number of security personnel have been deployed at the Singhu border.
• In Haryana’s Kurukshetra, a panchayat was held on Sunday in which Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni) president Gurnam Singh Charuni and some Khaps participated to chart a course of action in support of protesting farmers in Punjab.
• Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) staged protests at toll plazas in Punjab for the second consecutive day.
• “SKM has decided to intensify the agitation immediately and has made repeated calls for massive action in coordination with workers and all other sections of the people,” the Samyukta Kisan Morcha said in a statement.
• Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Panchayat leader on Sunday said the government has asked for some time to discuss the matter with union ministers.
• After inspecting the Data Singhwala-Khanauri border crossing, Haryana police chief Shatrujit Kapoor said strict action will be taken against those disturbing law and order.
• Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Saturday announced that farmers will hold rallies in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Uttarakhand on February 21 to express their requirements.
• Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni) conducted tractor parade in Haryana.

Farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh began a ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on the morning of February 13 to press their demands, while heavy roadblocks were put up at the Haryana-Punjab border and entry points in the national capital.

Apart from legal safeguards for MSP, farmers also demand implementation of Swaminathan Commission recommendations, pension for farmers and farm workers, farm debt waiver, no increase in power tariff, withdrawal of police cases and justice for victims in 2021. Lakhimpur Kheri violence, restoration of the Land Acquisition Act 2013, and compensation to the families of farmers who died in previous riots in 2020-21.