The farmers’ protest in India has entered its fifth day, with demonstrators preparing for a fourth round of talks with central ministers on Sunday evening (Feb 18). The ongoing protests have seen farmer unions pledge to escalate their agitation. The talks are centered on three key areas: farm loan waivers, a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) policy, and the use of a comprehensive cost formula to determine MSP.
Following the third round of talks, farmers and trade unions observed a Bharat Bandh (nationwide strike) on Friday to amplify their demands.
Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda expressed optimism about reaching a resolution, stating, “We will surely reach a conclusion if we carry forward the talks peacefully. I am hopeful that we will soon find a solution.” Munda emphasized that the Centre would consider all aspects of the discussions before making a final decision, aiming to avoid criticisms in the future.
Farmers’ Demands for Injured Protesters Farmers have reported approximately 400 injuries among protesters at the Punjab-Haryana borders due to clashes and continuous tear gas shelling by riot police, as per news agency Reuters on Saturday.
The injured protesters have two primary demands: job security and financial aid to assist those wounded in the protests. The current wave of protests began as part of the “Dilli Chalo” (Let’s go to New Delhi) march earlier this week, aiming to pressure the government into setting a minimum support price for their produce.
VIDEO | Farmers' protest: Here's what farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said during a press conference at Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 17, 2024
"I believe that if the government seriously focusses on the consumer and producer and focusses a bit less on the corporates, then this… pic.twitter.com/OVsDMlm4dm
However, the protesters were halted around 200 kilometers from the national capital, leading to confrontations.
Deaths Amidst Protests Two deaths have been reported in the ongoing protests. A 63-year-old protester from Punjab, present at the Shambu border, passed away after suffering a heart attack.
Officials informed the news agency PTI that Gian Singh complained of chest pain in the morning and was taken to the Civil Hospital in Punjab’s Rajpura. From there, he was rushed to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, where doctors declared him brought dead. The second victim was a Government Railway Police (GRP) official who also died of a heart attack.
Farmer Leaders’ Statements Meanwhile, farmer leaders addressed a press conference at the Shambu border on Saturday, criticizing the Centre for announcing MSP for 23 crops but only purchasing 2-3 crops. “We want to end the loot by corporates (in buying crops) as the first step,” farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said.
“I believe that if the government focuses seriously on the consumer and producer and focuses a bit less on the corporates, then this whole issue can be resolved,” added farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal.
See also : Ed summons Arvind Kejriwal for questioning in Delhi excise policy case
