New Delhi:

Farmer leaders on Friday announced that the future course of action regarding their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march will be decided on February 29. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), spearheading the protests, outlined a list of activities planned for the next week. Until then, the farmers are determined to hold their ground at two protest sites on the Punjab-Haryana border – Shambhu and Khanauri.

A candle march is scheduled for today, followed by seminars on farmer-related issues tomorrow. On February 26, the protestors intend to burn effigies of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and ministers. In addition, several meetings of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha forums are slated for the subsequent two days.

The demands put forth by the protesting farmers, including a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP), the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, and a farm loan waiver, remain at the core of the agitation. 

A protester died and a dozen police personnel were injured during clashes at Khanauri on Wednesday, prompting the farmers to defer their march for two days. Shubhkaran Singh, a 21-year-old native of Bathinda, died in the clash. The farmer leaders expressed their grievances with the Punjab government regarding the registration of an FIR in Mr Singh’s death and insisted that the cremation would not proceed until their demands were met.

The situation escalated as the farmers criticised the Punjab Police for hesitating to file an FIR against security personnel from Haryana, whom the protestors held responsible for Mr Singh’s death. The farmers are demanding not only justice but also ‘martyr’ status for Mr Singh.

In response, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job for Mr Singh’s sister. However, this move failed to appease the protestors, as they insisted on the registration of an FIR against those responsible for the young farmer’s death.

The farmer leaders also announced the death of another protesting farmer, 62-year-old Darshan Singh from Amargarh village in Bathinda, who died of a heart attack at the Khanauri border, marking the fourth casualty during the ongoing protests.

Finance Minister’s Promise

Amidst these developments, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday that the Centre has formed a three-member committee of ministers to engage in negotiations with the farmers. Ms Sitharaman insisted that the government is committed to farmers’ welfare and highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s continuous efforts in this regard.

“I can provide a series of lists of all that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done for the farmers. From increasing their income to assisting with the smallest of expenses, PM Modi has taken every step for the welfare of the farmers. He works for even the small farmers,” Ms Sitharaman said.

Resolution Through Dialogue

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said there is a need for a resolution through dialogue.

Mr Tikait, a prominent figure in the farmers’ movement, highlighted the integral role played by those living in forest areas in protecting the environment. 

“People living in the forests protect the environment. From Bihar to Andhra Pradesh, which is a forest area, Adivasis worship the ‘Jungle’. No army and farmers are standing face to face. We have people in the army also who comes from a farming background. There should be a solution through dialogue. Continuous talks are going on with the Centre,” he said.
 

Chandigarh:

A police officer was injured Friday in a pitched battle between protesting farmers and cops in Khedi Chwpata in Haryana’s Hisar. Visuals showed a chaotic and volatile situation; police – escorted by riot personnel in full gear – can be seen taking people into custody while farmers surrounded them.

The violence – in which tear gas shells were fired and police resorted to a lathi charge, while protesters threw stones – broke after the farmers were stopped from marching to Khanauri on the Punjab border.

Tense stand off between farmers and cops in Haryana’s Hisar district as cops tried to stop farmers from reaching the Khanauri border. @ndtvpic.twitter.com/9UKrpVrVvm

— Mohammad Ghazali (@ghazalimohammad) February 23, 2024

They were headed to join thousands others who have gathered there, and at the Shambhu border crossing, ahead of a ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to demand a legal guarantee for MSP, or minimum support price, and waiver of farm loans, pensions, and ollback of increased electricity rates, among other things.

Earlier today a 62-year-old farmer died in Khanauri after suffering a cardiac arrest.

READ | Another Protesting Farmer Dies, Leaders Want Job For His Family

Darshan Singh was from Punjab’s Bathinda district, and was the second person from Bathinda to have died in these protests; on Wednesday Subhkaran Singh, 21, died during a clash with the cops. 

Singh died after farmers rushed barricades set up by the police at the Khanauri border crossing to stop them from reaching Delhi. Farmer leaders said his body – a (delayed) postmortem showed a head injury – would not be cremated till the Punjab government registers a case against the person responsible. 

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann – who expressed sorrow over Subhkaran Singh’s death – said a case would be filed after the post-mortem. “Those responsible will have to face stringent action,” the Aam Aadmi Party leader said, as he announced Rs 1 crore compensation and employment for Singh’s sister.

READ | Farmer’s Death: No Cremation Till FIR Is Filed, Say Union Leaders

Apart from Darshan Singh and Subhkaran Singh, at least two others – both over 60 – have died – from suspected heart attacks – in these protests, which follow nationwide (and frequently violent) agitations between 2020 and 2021, when tens of thousands of farmers marched on Delhi and set up camp on its borders, effectively blockading the national capital to press home their demands.

READ | “6 Months’ Ration, Diesel In Trollies”: Punjab Farmers Ready For Long Haul

The deaths forced farmer leaders to put their Delhi march plans on hold.

They have not, however, backed down and show no signs of doing so; last week a farmer leader told NDTV they had come with enough food and other essential provisions to last for six months, and will not disperse without having their concerns addressed.

The government has held four rounds of talks with the farmers, who are led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (the non-political unit of the union that spearheaded the 2020/21 protests) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Both sides are expected to sit for a fifth round of talks shortly. 

Meanwhile, the political wing of the SKM has declared a “black Friday” and burnt effigies of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his Haryana counterpart, Anil Vij, as well as Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

READ | Black Day, Mahapanchayat: Farmers To Launch Mega Protests Today

Farmers’ unions has also called for a tractor rally on Monday and a day-long programme at Delhi’s Ram Leela Ground on March 14. “We will go without tractors… The government keeps saying they are not stopping us, so let’s see…”

The government has made one offer – a five-year contract to buy three types of pulses, maize, and cotton at the old MSP. This was rejected by the farmers, who want MSP coverage extended to all 23 cash crops, legal guarantees, and for the Swaminathan Commission’s updated payment formula to be used. 

NDTV Explains | Centre’s 5-Year MSP Plan, And Why Farmers Are Not Convinced

A delegation led by Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda has been speaking to the farmers, whose protest comes at a bad time for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, with a general election just weeks away. Mr Munda has asked farmers to remain patient and maintain the peace and, in remarks seen as a swipe at the opposition, warned them against allowing external forces to “hijack” their protests.

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.