Keypoints:
- The agitating farmers burned the effigy of Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar at Tikri border.
- Thousands of farmers protesting the Centre’s agriculture laws stayed put at the Singhu and Tikri border points for the third consecutive day on Saturday.
On Saturday, thousands of farmers were seen protesting the Centre’s agricultural laws stayed put at the Singhu and Tikri border points for the third consecutive day amid heavy police presence even after being offered a north Delhi ground to hold peaceful demonstrations.
Assuring that the MSP will continue, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh and agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar reiterated that the central government was ready for talks with the farmer unions’ leaders on December 3 to resolve their issues.The agitating farmers also burnt the effigy of Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar at Tikri border.
They wanted to demonstrate at Ramlila Ground in Delhi but the police have allowed them to protest at Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari, said the farmers.After spending a cold night at the Tikri (Bahadurgarh) and Singhu (Sonepat) borders between Haryana and Delhi, the farmers said they will block roads connecting Delhi and disrupt supplies if their demands are not met.
With tractor-trailers parked on either side of the highway at Singhu border, Johal Singh, a farmer from Ludhiana district, said: “If we start protesting at Nirankari Samagam Ground, no one will care. Delhi sirf tab sunti hai jab unka ration pani bandh karte hain (The Union government will listen only when we will block the supply of essential items).”
Refusing to enter Delhi, farmers at Tikri border gathered in the middle of the highway. Punjab’s farmers, who camped at Jind’s Julana for the night, have resumed their march to Delhi.
On Saturday, 30 farmers Union protesting at Singhu border held a meeting and decided not to enter Delhi.Rakesh Bains, media in-charge BKU (Charuni) said they will hold demonstrations at Singhu border on Saturday night. “ We will wait for other farmers and take decision about further planning on Sunday,” he added.Rajya Sabha MP Deepender Singh Hooda reached Bahadurgarh to extend support to the protesting farmers.
Deputy superintendent of police (headquarters) Sultan Singh said the traffic movement has been eased and no farmer is being stopped. “There are a very few farmers crossing the Shambhu or Sadopur borders with clothes, food or other items for their fellow protesters, who have reached Delhi or are at the Haryana-Delhi borders,” he said.
