Farmers to Hold Country-Wide Agitation on 6 February: BKU Leader
Catch all the updates on the farmers’ protest here.
Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Balbir Singh Rajewal announced at a press conference on Monday, 1 February, that farmers will hold a country-wide agitation on 6 February and would block roads between 12 pm and 3 pm, according to ANI.
Meanwhile, as protests against the contentious farm laws entered their 69th day, the Ministry of Home Affairs, on Monday extended temporary suspension of internet at Delhi's Singhu, Ghazipur, and Tikri borders till 11 pm on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) in a press note on Sunday, expressed concern over the fact that more than a hundred people were still reported to be missing after the Republic Day rally.
- Forensic scientists from Gujarat on Sunday examined areas in and around the ITO junction in central Delhi in the aftermath of Republic Day clashes.
- Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal visited the Ghazipur area near the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border to lend his support to the ongoing farmers’ agitation.
- Internet services have been suspended in Delhi’s border areas, including Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri, from 11 pm on 29 January to 11 pm on 31 January, as per an order by the Union Home Ministry.
- Thousands of farmers gathered for a “mahapanchayat” in Baghpat’s Baraut in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.
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Sukhbir Singh Badal Visits Protest Site at Ghazipur
Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal, whose party pulled out of ruling NDA over the contentious farm laws, on Sunday visited the Ghazipur area near the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border to lend his support to the ongoing farmers' agitation.
During his visit, Badal said: “I congratulate Rakesh Tikait ji for his fight against the farm laws. All farmers are grateful to him, our party stands with him.”
'Ignorance & Misinformation': Tomar on Pawar's Views on Farm Laws
Expressing dismay over NCP President Sharad Pawar’s criticism of the new farm laws, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday alleged Pawar’s statement reflect a mix of "ignorance and misinformation”.
Opposition Leaders Must Come Out of Empathy, Not for Votes: Rakesh Tikait
Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday also said that there there was no point in opposition leaders seeking votes from farmers in return for their support for the agitation.
According to ANI, Tikait speaking from Ghazipur border, said:
“We don't have any business with opposition parties. The opposition leaders must be coming out of empathy but there's no point for them to look for votes at the protest sites. It is not their protest."
"Opposition may raise the issue in parliament," Tikait added.
'Over a 100 Missing Since Tractor Rally': SKM
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) in a press note on Sunday, 31 January, expressed concern over the fact that more than a hundred people were still reported to be missing after the Republic Day rally. SKM also informed of a committee that had been formed to look into the issues.
Further, SKM, in its press note, condemned the arrests of journalists like Mandeep Punia and the cutting off of the internet in protest sites. They also shared the news of the demise of another protesting farmer.
Speaking about the Sadbhavna Divas, which was observed on 30 January, SKM said:
“SKM notes that the Sadbhavana Diwas announced yesterday was marked in a widespread manner across the country and in Madhya Pradesh, places like Rewa, Mandsaur, Indore, Gwalior, Jhabua and other locations had a fast undertaken by protesters. Concerned faculty members and scholars of Punjab Agriculture University also observed one day fast in support of farmers.”
“The morcha is getting stronger day by day,” SKM added.
Cong MPs Jasbir Singh Gill and Gurjeet Singh Aujla Wear Black to Parliament
Congress MPs Jasbir Singh Gill and Gurjeet Singh Aujla have worn black gowns to the Parliament, as a mark of their protest against the three farm laws, according to ANI.
Police Dig Up Roads, Place Spikes at Tikri Border: Eyewitnesses
According to eyewitness accounts, the police has dug up roads and placed spikes at the Tikri Border so that farmers may not be able to drive their tractors to Delhi like they did on the day of the tractor rally.
Internet Suspension at Singhu, Ghazibur & Tikri Borders Extended Till 2 Fed, 11 PM: MHA
The Ministry of Home Affairs, on Monday, 1 February, extended temporary suspension of internet till 2 February, 11 PM at Delhi's Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri borders, according to ANI.
'Attempt to Muzzle Young, Courageous Voices': Editors Guild Concerned Over the Incarceration of Mandeep Punia
The Editors Guild of India (EGI) has expressed deep concern over the incarceration of freelance journalist Mandeep Punia who was reporting on the farmers’ protest at the Singhu Border.
Demanding Punia’s release, the Editors Guild said:
“Punia’s arrest is an attempt to muzzle young courageous voices of independent journalists that through reporting are busting fake news and speaking truth to power.”
EGI also asked the Delhi Police to restore circumstances in which “media can report without fear or favour.”
DIGIPUB Condemns Targeting of Journalists Covering Farmers' Protest
DIGIPUB News India Foundation has demanded the immediate release of journalist Mandeep Punia, as well. They have also sought the withdrawal of all malicious cases against journalists.
DIGIPUB has condemned the FIR against Founding Editor of The Wire Siddharth Vardarajan, and FIRs against Rajdeep Sardesai, Mrinal Pande, Zafar Agha and Vinod Jose, among others, in connection with their tweets about the clashes that ensued between the police and the protesters, during the tractor rally.
Twitter Account of Kisan Ekta Morcha Witheld
Twitter accounts of multiple farmers protest pages, including Kisan Ekta Morcha, have been withheld by Twitter.
The Kisan Ekta Morcha page now reads:
“Kisan Ekta Morcha’s account has been withheld in India in response to a legal demand.”
44 Cases Filed, 122 People Arrested: Delhi Police
DCP Eish Singhal, spokesperson of Delhi Police, on Monday said that a total of 44 cases have been filed so far, while 122 people have been arrested in connection with the farmers’ protests.
R-Day Violence: Delhi Police Announces Compensation for Personnel
Delhi Police announces Rs 25,000 for its personnel grievously injured in the violence on 26 January, while Rs 10,000 will be given to seriously injured personnel.
Farmers to Hold Country-Wide Agitation on 6 February: BKU Leader
Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Balbir Singh Rajewal announced at a press conference on Monday that farmers will hold a country-wide agitation on 6 February and would block roads between 12 pm and 3 pm, according to ANI.
Suspension of Mobile Internet & Other Services Extended in Haryana
Suspension of mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/CDMA/GPRS), bulk SMS services and all dongle services provided on mobile networks except voice calls in Kaithal, Panipat, Jind, Rohtak, Charkhi Dadri, Sonipat and Jhajjar districts has been extended till 5 pm on Tuesday.