Farmers’ protest Feb 13 updates | ‘Delhi Chalo’ farmers try to break through road blocks, clash with Haryana cops

As the Delhi Police prepares to stop protesting farmers from entering the national capital, a senior officer Tuesday directed personnel on ground that they “need not be defensive” if the agitators show aggression.

Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Ravindra Yadav, who visited the fortified Singhu border this evening, told police personnel and paramilitary jawans deployed there that if the farmers manage to enter Delhi “our whole operation will fail”.

He told the forces they need to act “logically” and by keeping their safety in mind.

- PTI

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding Minimum Support Price for crops, slamming action on the farmers’ ‘Dilli Chalo’ march and accusing the government of trying to “project” division among farmer bodies.

It urged all like-minded farmer organisations to unite and take part in the February 16 Gramin Bharat Bandh called by the central trade unions.

Said the SKM, “Your government and that of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh led by the BJP have resorted to repressive measures on peaceful protests of farmers and unleashed lathi-charge, rubber bullets and tear gas shells, injuring many and inflict an atmosphere of terror on common farmers.” The SKM mentioned their demands including MSP for all crops based on the Swaminathan formula of C2+50 (input cost of capital+50 per cent), legal guarantee of procurement, debt waiver, no hike in electricity tariff and no smart metres.

They also demanded free 300 units power for farming and for domestic use and for shops, comprehensive crop insurance, and a hike in pensions to Rs 10,000 per month among others.

- PTI

The Punjab and Haryana High court Tuesday issued notices to the Centre, and the states of Haryana and Punjab, on two separate petitions filed pertaining to the farmers’ Delhi Chalo march.

One of the petitioners has sought directions from the court to stay all “obstructive” actions by the governments of Haryana and Punjab and the Union government against the farmers’ protest, while the other has pleaded for directions to ensure no highway is blocked by the protesters and those who do so are punished.

- PTI

Amid farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said if his party returns to power, its government would provide legal guarantee to Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops in the interest of farmers.

Speaking during Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ in Ambikapur, the headquarter of Surguja district of Chhattisgarh, Kharge also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the people should not believe Modi’s “guarantees”.

“I would like to announce from Chhattisgarh that legal guarantee to MSP with extensive procurement of crops for farmers as our guarantee (for upcoming Lok Sabha polls). If we come to power, then this guarantee will definitely be implemented. It is our first guarantee...,” he said.

“The farmers who have been fighting for their rights (on the Delhi border), iron spikes were laid on the road and cement walls were placed to stop them. What kind of democracy is this? Can’t anyone fight for their rights?” he asked.

- PTI

After the farmers on their way to Delhi clashed with the police at the Shambhu (Haryana-Punjab) border, the Delhi Police sealed the Tikri border on Tuesday.

The border was shut by blocking the movement on both carriageways with five feet long cement blocks along with multi-layer of barricades.

The Delhi Police also closed all the entry and exit points of the nearby streets and villages connecting the highway near Tikri Metro Station. Heavy police force, including three women companies of the para-military force, has been deployed at the Tikri border.

- PTI

Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda said a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops cannot be brought in a hurry without consulting all stakeholders and urged the protesting farmer groups to have a structured discussion with the government on the issue.

In an interview with PTI, Mr. Munda also cautioned the protesting farmers to be “aware and alert” about some elements which could defame their protest for political benefits.

“In the two rounds of discussions, we agreed to many of their demands. But there was no agreement on certain issues. The talks are still on,” Mr. Munda said.

- PTI

Security has been heightened along Rajasthan’s borders with Haryana and Punjab and mobile internet suspended in three districts in view of the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.

Inspector General of Police, Bikaner Range, Om Prakash visited the Ratanpura border and reviewed the arrangements. He spoke to police personnel and issued necessary instructions.

He said mobile internet has been suspended for the day in Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar and Anupgarh districts and borders have been sealed.

- PTI

The Red Fort complex has been temporarily closed for visitors due to security reasons, a senior ASI official said, amid a massive deployment of police and paramilitary forces in central Delhi in view of the farmers’ march.

The Mughal-era monument, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in old Delhi, was “suddenly sealed” late Monday night “due to security reasons”, the official said.

Heavy security has been deployed around the complex since late last night and it has been “closed for visitors”, the official of the Archeological Survey India (ASI) told PTI.

The Outer Ring Road leading towards the Red Fort has also been barricaded as police do not want to take any chance this time around, unlike the last time when a large number of protesting farmers had entered the central part of Delhi on January 26 in 2021 when India had marked the anniversary of its Republic Day.

- PTI

Farmers marching from Punjab to Delhi faced tear gas shells and water cannons as police tried to stop large groups from entering Haryana through the Khanauri border in Jind district.

- PTI

Congress alleged on Tuesday that the social media accounts of the farmer union leaders were shut down during the talks with the government, which ended in a “stalemate with no common ground in sight,” while demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold talks with the farmers.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of farmers, Union Minister Arjun Munda on Tuesday said that the government is open to many issues, and they can work on ways to find solutions.

“The government is getting information that many people could try to pollute the atmosphere, I urge the farmers to stay careful of such elements. The government of India is committed towards the welfare of farmers. An agreement has been reached on some matters. We are open to many issues, and we can work on ways to find solutions,” Mr. Munda said. - ANI

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday accused the Modi government of crushing the voice of farmers after failing to fulfil the promises made to them over 10 years.

“Barbed wire, teargas from drones, nails and guns... everything is arranged. The dictatorial Modi government is trying to curb the voice of farmers,” the Congress chief said in a post on X.

The Haryana Police on Tuesday lobbed multiple rounds of teargas shells, including through drones, at the Shambhu border near Ambala to disperse farmers marching towards Delhi to seek enactment of a law on minimum support price.

The police first used teargas when farmers tried to break barricades set up at the Shambhu border and throw it off the Ghaggar river bridge. - PTI

Bharatiya Kisan Union president Naresh Tikait on Tuesday said the Centre should hold talks with the farmers and alleged that its “stubborn approach” is proving to be dangerous.

The BKU chief wondered whether the farmers will always be in the agitation mode, block roads or head towards Delhi.

On the proposed February 16 bandh call given by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and various other organisations, Tikait said school vans, vehicles carrying patients and military vehicles will be exempted. The problems should be resolved through talks, he added.

Farmers on Tuesday morning commenced their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march from Punjab to press for their demands, amid heavy barricading at Haryana-Punjab border and entry points into the National Capital.

Taking note of the massive traffic jams across the national capital region on account of the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, Chief Justice D. Y. Chandrachud on Tuesday said he will accommodate lawyers if they are stuck in traffic. - PTI

“Different States have different demands. But will the farmers always stay on a protest, will they always march towards Delhi? The government should look into it. This stubborn attitude is not turning out to be good for anyone,” said Bhartiya Kisan Union president Naresh Tikait when asked about the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.

Delhi government rejected Centre’s request to convert Bawana stadium into makeshift jail in view of farmers’ march. “Farmers’ demands genuine, incorrect to arrest them,” said government sources. - PTI

In view of the farmers’ march to the National Capital, one or more gates at eight stations of the Delhi Metro were shut on Tuesday morning. However, these stations are not closed and entry and exit of passengers is permitted through other gates.

Many gates have been shut at several stations -- Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Udyog Bhawan, Janpath and Barakhamba Road, a senior official said. - PTI