‘Will Block Rail Tracks If Farm Laws Not Repealed’: Farmers’ Union
Catch all the updates on the farmers’ protests here.
Karnataka Farmers Stage Protest Rally in Bengaluru Against Farm Laws
Hundreds of farmers from across Karnataka staged a massive rally and sit-in demonstration on Wednesday in Bengaluru against the three farm laws. Protesters disrupted vehicular movement, as roads were blocked.
Boris Johnson Confuses Farmers’ Protest With India-Pakistan Dispute
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday seemed to confuse two separate issues when he reiterated the UK government’s stance that any dispute between India and Pakistan was for the two countries to settle bilaterally.
Many More Farmers Coming to Join Movement, Won't be Weakened: Farmers
"The government intends to weaken the farmers' movement but many more farmers are coming to Delhi to join the movement. We appeal to the people of Delhi to support us," Bharatiya Kisan Union's Manjeet Singh told ANI on Thursday, as the farmers’ protest enters the 15th day.
Over 50 Medical Camps Set up for Farmers at Singhu Border
Over 50 free round-the-clock medical camps have come up at Singhu border where farmers have been agitating against the three recently enacted farm laws, braving the winters, for the last 15 days.
Free medicines and ambulance services are also being provided to the agitating farmers.
Dr Kanwar Pal Singh, a volunteer associated with United Sikhs NGO, which has set up many such camps, told ANI people mostly complained of fever and sore throat here. Doctors and volunteers said that many already have existing health problems, for which they need regular medicines and health check-ups.
Tikri & Dhansa Borders Remain Closed
The Delhi Traffic Police on Thursday took to Twitter to inform commuters about routes closed for traffic in view of thousands of protesters camping at the national capital’s borders. The police also advised people to take alternative routes to avoid inconvenience.
Tikri and Dhansa borders are still closed for traffic movement, while Jhatikara border is open only for two-wheelers and pedestrian movement, it said.
Those travelling to Haryana can take Jharoda (only single carriageway), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH-8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera borders, the police said in a tweet.
Ready to Discuss: Agri Min After Farmers Reject Govt’s Proposal
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday, 10 December, said that the government is ready for “open-minded discussions” with farmers on provisions they have an objection against.
“We sent a proposal to farmers. They wanted that laws be repealed. We are of the stand that the government is ready for open-minded discussions on provisions they have an objection against[sic.]. Laws don't affect APMCs or MSP. We tried to explain this to farmers,” Tomar said.
He added that the purpose of the laws was to "liberate the farmers of the shackles of mandi so that they could sell his produce anywhere, to anyone, at his own price, outside the purview of mandi".
Agriculture State Subject, Centre Can't Make Laws: Farmers' Union
Farmer leader Boota Singh of the Sanyukt Kisan Manch on Thursday, 10 December, said that they had given the Modi government an ultimatum until today for repealing the farm laws and announced that they would block railway tracks, as a mark of their protest.
“We'd given an ultimatum till 10 December that if PM Modi doesn't listen to us and doesn't repeal laws, we'll block railway tracks. It was decided in today's meeting that all the people of India will take to the tracks. Sanyukt Kisan Manch will fix a date and announce,” he added.
Meanwhile, Balbir Singh Rajewal of the Bhartiya Kisan Union slammed the Centre for “admitting” to making the law for traders.
“The central government has admitted that the laws have been made for traders. If agriculture is State subject, they do not have the right to make laws regarding it,” he said.
Farmer leader Boota Singh of the Sanyukt Kisan Manch on Thursday, 10 December, said that they had given the Modi government an ultimatum until today for repealing the farm laws and announced that they would block railway tracks, as a mark of their protest.
“We'd given an ultimatum till 10 December that if PM Modi doesn't listen to us and doesn't repeal laws, we'll block railway tracks. It was decided in today's meeting that all the people of India will take to the tracks. Sanyukt Kisan Manch will fix a date and announce,” he added.
As the farmers' protest against the three contentious farm laws entered Day 15 on Thursday, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that the government is ready for “open-minded discussions” with farmers on provisions they have an objection to, after the latter rejected a draft proposal sent by the Centre.
Protesting farm leaders on Wednesday rejected the government's draft proposal for amendments in the three contentious laws and termed it “vague”. They then called for demonstrations and ‘gheraos’ on 14 December, saying there was nothing new in the government's proposal.
- Amid the deadlock, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar was at Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence on Wednesday
- Punjab Kisan Union’s RS Mansa had sought permission for the protesting farmers to use the Ramlila Ground in Delhi
- A joint delegation of Opposition parties met President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday, calling for a repeal of the laws
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