The farmers’ stir entered day four on Friday with all eyes now on the next round of talks to be held on Sunday between the farmer unions and the Union ministers.
The farmers continued their protest at the Punjab- Haryana’s Shambhu and Khanauri borders, while there were reports of confrontation between them and police at the Shambhu where tear gas was used to disperse the agitating farmers who tried to move towards the barricades.
Haryana Police on Friday once again appealed that all must cooperate to maintain the law and order situation and said that some people are trying to provoke the police at Shammbhu border despite assurance given by them for peaceful protests.
The police also said that some anti- social elements are trying to create disturbance under the name of protest, trying to take undue advantage.
Meanwhile, as a mark of support to their brothers who are staying put at the Punjab- Haryana border, the ‘Bharat Bandh’ was observed at various places in Punjab and Haryana and also at places in Uttar Pradesh.
People faced issues and inconvenience at places in Punjab and Haryana’s Hisar as the buses also stayed of the roads in support to the bandh call given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha.
The farmers also held demonstrations at several places in Punjab while the markets were shut in support of the demands made by farmers which includes a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
In support of the agitating farmers, reportedly, some toll plazas were made free for a couple of hours while farmers gathered there to show their support to the ones at the Shambhu border.
Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni from Kurukshetra has said that tolls will be free between 12- 3 and there will be a tractor march at the Tehsils on Saturday and on Sunday, a meeting of Khaps, farmers, and labor unions has been called at the Brahma Sarovar park in Kurukshetra.
Meanwhile, stepped up security measures were in place across the national capital, especially at the borders in view of the farmers’ march proposed by their unions and the call of the Bharat Bandh given by them.
Following the meeting of farmers that took place on Thursday, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Arjun Munda had told reporters that the meeting ended on a positive note and the issues will be discussed in detail at the meeting on Sunday evening.
He had said that both sides will find a solution peacefully.
The third round of talks between Union ministers and farmer leaders was held in Chandigarh which was also attended by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant SIngh Mann.
The agitating farmers had begun their march starting from Punjab towards the national capital on February 13, however, were stopped by the police personnel at the Punjab- Haryana’s Shambhu and Khanauri border points.
Other than the legal guarantee for the MSP, the unions are also wanting the implementation of the recommendations by the Swaminathan Commission.
Haryana police have advised the commuters to plan their journeys as per the advisories and opt for railways instead of roads while travelling to Delhi and Chandigarh in view of the protests.