GG News Bureau
Chandigarh, 24th Feb. Farmer leaders announced on Friday that the future strategy regarding their ongoing ‘Delhi Chalo’ march will be determined on February 29. Spearheaded by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), the protestors outlined a series of activities scheduled for the upcoming week. Until the decision day, farmers remain steadfast at the protest sites located at the Punjab-Haryana border – Shambhu and Khanauri.
Scheduled events include a candle march today, followed by seminars addressing farmer-related issues tomorrow. On February 26, protestors plan to burn effigies of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and ministers. Additionally, multiple meetings of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha forums are scheduled for the subsequent two days.
The core demands of the protesting farmers, including a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP), implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, and a farm loan waiver, remain unchanged. Recent clashes at Khanauri, resulting in the death of a protester and injuries to several police personnel, prompted the deferment of the march for two days. The deceased protester, Shubhkaran Singh, hailed from Bathinda, and farmer leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the Punjab government’s response to the incident, particularly regarding the registration of an FIR.
Tensions escalated as farmers criticized the Punjab Police for their alleged reluctance to file an FIR against security personnel from Haryana, whom the protestors hold responsible for Mr. Singh’s death. Demands for justice and ‘martyr’ status for Mr. Singh persisted.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced compensation and a government job for Mr. Singh’s sister, but protestors insisted on an FIR against those accountable for the farmer’s death. Another farmer, Darshan Singh from Amargarh village in Bathinda, was reported to have died of a heart attack at the Khanauri border, marking the fourth casualty in the ongoing protests.
Amidst these developments, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that a three-member ministerial committee has been formed to engage in negotiations with the farmers. Ms. Sitharaman reiterated the government’s commitment to farmers’ welfare and highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts in this regard.
BKU leader Rakesh Tikait emphasized the need for dialogue to reach a resolution. Tikait highlighted the crucial role played by forest-dwelling communities in environmental conservation and stressed the importance of continuous discussions with the Centre to address farmers’ concerns.
