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 They are demanding that these laws, which were enacted in September, be repealed.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 IST

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 IST

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