As farmers resumed their ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest march, the government on Wednesday said that it was ready to discuss the MSP and other issues during the fifth round of talks.

Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda invited farmer leaders for further discussions on all the issues, including MSP, crop diversification, and stubble issue.

“After the fourth round, the government is ready to discuss all the issues like MSP demand, crop diversification, stubble issue, FIR in the fifth round. I again invite the farmer leaders for discussion. It is important for us to maintain peace,” Munda said in a post on ‘X’.

Meanwhile, police fired tear gas shells at Shambhu border in Haryana as farmers tried to cross the barricades installed there to stop them from marching towards Delhi.

The protesting farmers also brought poclains, JCB machines and other hydrolic equipment to remove the cement barricading and nails that the government has placed near the border to stop them from marching towards the national capital.

The police threatened to file criminal cases against the owners of JCB and other equipment and asked them not to provide their services to the farmers.

“Owners and operators of Poclains, JCBs: Pls do not provide the services of our equipment to the protestors. Pl withdraw these machines from the protest site. These machines may be used to cause harm to security forces, it’s a non bailable offence and you may be held criminally liable,” the police said in a social media post.

Earlier in the day, the General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Committee Sarwan Singh Pandher urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government to discuss their issues or allow farmers to proceed to Delhi to hold a protest peacefully.

“We are saying that it is also the Prime Minister’s responsibility, we too have voted to make him the PM of the country. This country belongs to everyone, the PM belongs to everyone. He should come forward and handle the situation and fulfil our demands,” Pandher said while addressing a joint press conference with other farmer leaders at the Shambhu border.