There is a candle march program today, after which there will be a seminar on issues related to farmers tomorrow.
New Delhi:
Farmer leaders on Friday announced that future action regarding their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march will be decided on February 29. Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), which are leading the protest, have outlined a list. Activities were planned for the next week. Till then, the farmers are determined to hold on to the two protest sites on the Punjab-Haryana border – Shambhu and Khanauri.
There is a candle march program today, after which there will be a seminar on issues related to farmers tomorrow. On February 26, the protesters intend to burn the effigy of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Centre. Apart from this, several meetings of the United Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha forums are scheduled to be held in the next two days.
The demands put forward by the protesting farmers, including a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP), implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations and farm loan waiver, remain the core of the movement.
On Wednesday, where a protestor lost his life and a dozen police personnel were injured during clashes in Khanauri, forcing the farmers to postpone their march for two days. 21-year-old Shubhakaran Singh, resident of Bathinda, died in the clash. Farmer leaders expressed their grievances to the Punjab government regarding the filing of FIR in the case of Mr Singh’s death and insisted that the cremation will not be carried out until their demands are met.
The situation worsened when farmers criticized the Punjab Police for hesitating to register an FIR against Haryana security personnel, whom the protesters held responsible for Mr Singh’s death. The farmers are demanding not only justice but also ‘martyr’ status for Mr Singh.
In response, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job for Mr Singh’s sister. However, the move failed to appease the protesters, as they remained adamant on filing an FIR against those responsible for the death of the young farmer.
Farmer leaders also announced the death of another protesting farmer, 62-year-old Darshan Singh of Amargarh village in Bathinda, who died of a heart attack at the Khanauri border, the fourth death during the ongoing protests.
Finance Minister’s promise
Amid these developments, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said that the Center has formed a three-member committee of ministers to hold talks with farmers. Ms Sitharaman stressed that the government is committed to the welfare of farmers and highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sustained efforts in this regard.
“I can provide a list of all that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done for farmers. From increasing their income to helping them with small expenses, PM Modi has taken every step for the welfare of farmers. He We also work for the welfare of the Small farmers,” Ms Sitharaman said.
solution through dialogue
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said that there is a need for a solution through talks.
Mr Tikait, a leading figure of the farmers’ movement, highlighted the integral role played by people living in forest areas in protecting the environment.
“People living in forests protect the environment. From Bihar to Andhra Pradesh, which is a forest area, tribals worship ‘forest’. No army and farmers are standing face to face. Even in our army There are people who come from outside.” Agricultural background. A solution should emerge through dialogue. Continuous talks are going on with the Centre,” he said.
