Over 60,000 farmers protesting at Delhi borders, situation unsustainable, says Haryana Police

Thousands of farmers are protesting at various border points of Delhi against new farm laws.

PTI photo

As the farmers protest against the three central laws entered its 20th day on Tuesday (December 15), Prime Minister Narendra Modi met members of the farmer community including Sikh cultivators, during his visit to Kutch on Tuesday.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BJU) leader Rakesh Tikait alleged that Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand police were torturing farmers by seizing their tractor trolleys to stop them from joining protests against the Centre's new agri laws. He threatened to block the Ghazipur border if the farmers from the two states were not allowed to join the agitation.

With some key roads blocked for several days now due to their protest against the three new agri laws, an umbrella body of farmers Monday apologised with "folded hands" to people for the inconvenience caused to them, but said they were carrying out the demonstration "out of compulsion".

Thousands of farmers are protesting at various border points of Delhi against the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020; the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. They are demanding that these laws, which were enacted in September, be repealed.

15 December 2020

20:23 PM

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar: The farmers who met me today have supported the three farm laws. They said that they are with the bills and govt. As some farmers are spreading misconception so they were also misled. When I spoke to them they clearly supported the bills.

The farmers who met me today have supported the three farm laws. They said that they are with the bills & govt. As some farmers are spreading misconception so they were also misled. When I spoke to them they clearly supported the bills: Union Farmer Minister Narendra Singh Tomar https://t.co/W0OCgHGeoH pic.twitter.com/ms3SjOkScR

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020

20:21 PM

MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Mandis will remain operational. No mandi will close. We will improve the infrastructure and system of mandis. But even if someone sells (their produce), outside the mandi, we will provide them license. Farmers can sell at the mandi or outside it, as they want.

Mandis will remain operational. No mandi will close. We will improve the infrastructure and system of mandis. But even if someone sells (their produce), outside the mandi, we will provide them license. Farmers can sell at the mandi or outside it, as they want: MP CM in Bhopal pic.twitter.com/I52GNtid7T

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020

16:13 PM

PM Narendra Modi: New agriculture laws are exactly what farmer bodies, opposition parties been asking for years.

The agriculture reforms that have taken place is exactly what farmer bodies and even opposition parties have been asking over the years.

Government of India is always committed to farmer welfare and we will keep assuring the farmers, addressing their concerns: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 15, 2020

15:45 PM

Delhi Traffic Police: Chilla Border both carriageway are open for traffic now.

Traffic Alert

Chilla Border both carriageway are open for traffic now.

COVID PRECAUTIONS
WEAR MASK, MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING, KEEP HAND HYGIENE.

— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) December 15, 2020

13:15 PM

Union Minister Giriraj Singh questions Punjab CM over farmers protest:

I would like to ask Punjab CM that isn't private companies making contracts with farmers to grow potatoes? Did they usurp their land? Why didn't you oppose this?: Giriraj Singh

13:10 PM

Two Punjab farmers, returning to Patiala from a protest site on Delhi's border, killed after their tractor trolley is hit by a truck in Haryana's Karnal district, said police.

11:57 AM

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar is also a farmer. At what rate was his farm produce sold, was it sold at MSP? Did he suffer loss or earned profit?...The government should visit villages and hold meetings: Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait at Ghazipur border

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar is also a farmer. At what rate was his farm produce sold, was it sold at MSP? Did he suffer loss or earned profit?...The government should visit villages and hold meetings: Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait at Ghazipur border pic.twitter.com/Je3VSCCzmj

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020

10:25 AM

Speaking to Zee News, BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikat says he doesn't see any scope for solution by the end of this year and now farmers will prepare a strategy for the next year. There is a meeting with the government at 3 pm today. No talks have been held with government at Singhu Border since last 18 days. 

10:25 AM

Protesting farmers at Delhi's Singhu border say there's lack of cleanliness at the site. "Administration is totally at fault for not providing water in washrooms here. We'll die of diseases but we won't leave till our demands are met," says Bhaag Singh, a farmer from Sangrur, Punjab.

Delhi: Protesting farmers at Singhu border say there's lack of cleanliness at site.

"Administration is totally at fault for not providing water in washrooms here. We'll die of diseases but we won't leave till our demands are met," says Bhaag Singh, a farmer from Sangrur, Punjab. pic.twitter.com/qthLp4IGPu

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020

10:24 AM

Service sector and agriculture sector went in complete loss during the lockdown period and it was the farmers who arranged food for everyone. It was the agriculture sector which kept on functioning during the pandemic and helped the government. How can the government go against the farmers: BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait 

10:08 AM

Rajasthan: Farmers sit-in protest at Jaisinghpur-Khera border (Rajasthan-Haryana) continues for the third day today

Rajasthan: Farmers sit-in protest at Jaisinghpur-Khera border (Rajasthan-Haryana) continues for the third day today#FarmLaws pic.twitter.com/7vvebld7Hb

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020

08:26 AM

In the coming time, aeroplanes will run on fuel made from ethanol and the money will go to farmers. This is our vision and dream: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

08:24 AM

Speaking on Anna Hazare threatening to launch hunger strike in support of farmers, Gadkari said, "I don’t think Anna Hazare ji will join. We have not done anything against the farmers. It is the right of farmers to sell their produce in mandi, to traders or anywhere else."

08:24 AM

There are some elements who are trying to misguide farmers by misusing this protest. This is wrong. Farmers should try to understand the three laws. Our government is dedicated to farmers and is ready to accept the suggestions given by them. There will not be any injustice with farmers in our government: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

08:23 AM

In the coming time, aeroplanes will run on fuel made from ethanol and the money will go to farmers. This is our vision and dream: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

08:23 AM

Today, there's import of Rs 8 lakh crore crude oil in the country, Instead of this, we want to build Rs 2 lakh cr ethanol economy. At present, it's only Rs 20,000 cr. If it becomes Rs 2 lakh crore economy then Rs 1 lakh cr will go into pockets of farmers: Gadkari

08:20 AM

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari speaks on farmers issue, says, "Our government will convince the farmers, explain and find a way through dialogue."

If there is no dialogue, it can lead to miscommunication, to controversy & sparring. If there is a dialogue then issues will be resolved, the whole thing will end, farmers will get justice, they'll get relief. We're working in the interest of farmers: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

08:19 AM

Hazare also demanded granting autonomy to the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). He said that on February 5, 2019, after receiving a written assurance from then Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh that the Centre would form a high- powered committee to discuss the suggestions made by the Swaminathan Commission and other agriculture-related demands, he ended his fast in his Ralegaon Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.

08:19 AM

Social activist Anna Hazare writes to Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and warned of resuming hunger strike if the Centre does not fulfil his demands including the implementation of the recommendations made by MS Swaminathan Commission.

08:19 AM

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the farm laws are not only anti-farmer but also anti-people and have been brought in "to benefit some capitalists".

08:19 AM

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the farm laws are not only anti-farmer but also anti-people and have been brought in "to benefit some capitalists".

08:18 AM

Those agitating have come under the influence of Communists, Congressmen and separatists. However, we are confident that we will be able to convince them too: BJP national secretary Arun Singh said on Monday. 

08:18 AM

BJP national General Secretary and Rajasthan in-charge Arun Singh claimed that 99 per cent of the country's farmers stand with the Narendra Modi-led central government and those protesting in the borders of Delhi are 'under the influence of Communists, Congressmen and separatists'.