Farmers made a significant announcement on Wednesday, deciding to suspend their 'Delhi Chalo' march for a two-day period, with plans to reassess their strategy by Friday evening.
The decision, relayed by farmers' leader Sarwan Singh Pandher during a press briefing, comes after days of protests at the Punjab-Haryana borders. These protests aimed to push the Centre to address their demands concerning minimum support price (MSP) for crops and other related issues.
Tragically, amid the tense atmosphere, reports emerged of a protesting farmer, Jugraj Singh, losing his life and several others sustaining injuries as Haryana Police deployed tear gas shells at the Shambhu and Khanauri border in Punjab. However, Haryana Police refuted claims of any casualties.
As tensions mounted with farmers gathering at the Haryana borders, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda extended an olive branch earlier in the day, expressing the government's willingness to engage in dialogue on all contentious issues.
In a statement posted on X, Munda emphasized the importance of peace and reiterated the government's readiness to discuss farmer demands, including MSP, crop diversification, and the stubble issue.
The rejection of the Centre's proposal to buy pulses, maize, and cotton at MSP for five years by farmer unions further fueled the standoff. The decision to decline the proposal was announced by farmer leaders Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal following a meeting.
Despite the impasse, there remains a glimmer of hope for resolution. Agriculture Minister Munda, while appealing for more dialogue, expressed optimism in finding a mutually beneficial solution. He stressed the importance of constructive conversations in resolving the ongoing deadlock, reaffirming the government's commitment to seeking the best possible outcomes through peaceful negotiations.
Read only | Government Calls for Peaceful Dialogue with Protesting Farmers
Read only | Revived 'Delhi Chalo' March Sparks Tensions: Haryana Urges Punjab Police to Confiscate Bulldozers
