As many as 200 unions of farmers are heading towards national capital as part of their “Delhi Chalo” protest march after talks with the government failed. The farmers have accused the Modi government of not being sincere and alleged it only wants to waste time.
“Two years ago, the government had promised to meet half of our demands in writing… We wanted to resolve the issue peacefully. But the government is not sincere. They just want to waste time,” a farmers’ representative told reporters after talks.
According to reports, the government agreed to farmers’ demands of repealing the Electricity Act 2020, compensation to farmers killed in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, and the withdrawal of cases registered against them during the 2020 protests.
However, the midnight talks derailed over three key demands – enactment of a law to guarantee MSP, implementation of Swaminathan Commission report, and farm loan waiver.
The BJP government in Haryana has sealed its border with Punjab by placing barricades and spreading nails on the road to stop farmers from marching towards the national capital.
Similarly, Delhi borders have also been sealed with large containers, iron grills and heavy cement barricades.
Meanwhile, thousands of farmers in tractors and other vehicles from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are heading towards Delhi.
Some reports claimed that the farmers are carrying hydrollic equipment in their vehicles to remove the barricading. The farmers claimed they will remove the barricades within half and hour.
In a stark reminder to the 2020 protests, the farmers are carrying essential items, including ration and gas cylinders. The farmers said that they are prepared for a long battle for their rights.
The Delhi Police have imposed section 144 in entire national capital and banned any kind of protests till March 12.
Heavy police personnel have been deployed at entry points in Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur borders.