Following talks with Union ministers, including Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, farmers' representatives announced their decision to proceed with their planned march to Parliament on February 13, despite ongoing discussions mediated by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
While acknowledging that the meeting held in Chandigarh was conducted in a cordial atmosphere, the representatives expressed concerns over the delay in addressing their demands, particularly the enactment of a law guaranteeing minimum support prices (MSP) for crops. They also reiterated their call for compensation to the families of farmers who lost their lives during previous protests and emphasized the need for improved crop insurance.
Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a farmers' leader, affirmed that the "Dilli Chalo" protest would proceed as scheduled on February 13, unless the Modi government addresses their grievances, including the legal assurance of MSP during the ongoing Parliament session. However, he reiterated the farmers' willingness to engage in further discussions if invited by the government.
The "Dilli Chalo" protest, reminiscent of the November 2020 demonstrations against the farm laws, is being organized by members of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha. Farmers are preparing tractors and gathering provisions for the journey to the national capital.
In anticipation of the march, Punjab and Haryana police forces have intensified security measures, including increased patrols along border areas, to maintain order and prevent any untoward incidents. Paramilitary forces will augment local law enforcement, with special barricades erected at entry points between Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.
Furthermore, farmers from Uttar Pradesh have assembled in Noida, demanding enhanced compensation and developed plots in exchange for farmland acquired by local development authorities for infrastructure projects. In response, authorities have issued traffic advisories, cautioning commuters of potential disruptions due to the farmers' movement on tractors.
(With Agency Inputs)
Read also| Those in power after Independence were ashamed of their own culture, says PM Modi
