Police in BJP-ruled Haryana fired tear gas shells at farmers near Shambhu border as they resumed their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on Wednesday after fourth round of talks with government remained inconclusive.
Farmers were offered MSP on five crops, which they refused to accept and demanded a law to guarantee the minimum support price for their crops.
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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.
Meanwhile, farmers’ leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that they have decided that only leaders will mar h forward and farmers and youth have been asked to stay back.
“We’ve decided that no farmer, youth will march forward. Leaders will march ahead. We will go peacefully… All this can be ended if they (central govt) make a law on MSP…,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Pandher, who is also the General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Committee, had 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 on Wednesday morning.
“We tried our best, attended meetings, and every point was discussed. Now the decision has to be taken by the Centre. The Prime Minister should come forward and accept our demands. Rs 1.5-2 lakh crore is not a very big amount…about 60 per cent of the farmers are dependent on it. If farm labourers are added, it constitutes 80 per cent of the country’s population, then our best effort is to remain peaceful,” he added.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda has once again urged the farmers to join fifth round of talks.
“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.
