Farmers' Protest: Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait reaches Jantar Mantar.
Amid heavy security, a group of 200 farmers protesting the Centre's three controversial farm laws started a 'Kisan Sansad' at central Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Thursday, a few metres away from Parliament where the Monsoon Session is underway.
Farmers said the idea behind organising the 'Kisan Sansad' was to show that their protest is still alive and tell the Centre that they too know how to run the Parliament. Police said the security has been tightened and thousands of personnel have been deployed in the area in view of the protest.
The Delhi government and police on Wednesday agreed to allow farmers to hold the Kisan Sansad at Jantar Mantar from today till August 9 between 11 am and 5 pm.
The protesters have been asked to give an undertaking that all Covid norms would be followed and the protest would be peaceful, PTI reported.
This is the first time since the violence in the national capital during a tractor rally on January 26 that the authorities have given permission to protesting farmer unions to hold a protest in the city.
Here are the LIVE updates on farmers' protest:
Urging Foreign Governments To Ease Travel Curbs For Indians: Centre
The Centre on Thursday said it has been taking up with foreign governments the issue of easing travel restrictions for Indians in view of an improvement in the coronavirus situation in the country.
Indian students studying in institutions in China, Italy and several other countries have been stuck here in view of the travel restrictions.
"With the improvement in the Covid situation in India, we have been taking up with foreign countries the issue of easing travel restrictions for Indians. We believe that this is an important element towards economic recovery," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing.
Unusual Pus In Liver Detected In Covid-Recovered Patients: Study
The COVID-19 patient treated with steroids developed unusually large and multiple liver abscesses after recovery from infection, said the reports of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi today.
A liver abscess (Pus formation in the Liver) is commonly caused by a parasite known as Entamoeba histolytica which is transmitted by contaminated food and water.
"During the second wave of the COVID-19, in April-May 2021, a number of COVID-19 patients presented with some unusual manifestations. We saw for the first time in last two months unusually large and multiple liver abscesses in fourteen patients after recovery from COVID-19 infection," said Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Professor Anil Arora.
China Rejects WHO Plan For 2nd Coronavirus Origin Probe Defies Science
China rejected on Thursday a World Health Organization (WHO) plan for a second phase of an investigation into the origin of the coronavirus, which includes the hypothesis it could have escaped from a Chinese laboratory, a top health official said.
The WHO this month proposed a second phase of studies into the origins of the coronavirus in China, including audits of laboratories and markets in the city of Wuhan, calling for transparency from authorities.
"We will not accept such an origins-tracing plan as it, in some aspects, disregards common sense and defies science," Zeng Yixin, vice minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), told reporters.
Zeng said he was taken aback when he first read the WHO plan because it lists the hypothesis that a Chinese violation of laboratory protocols had caused the virus to leak during research.
Farmer Protest LIVE Updates: There will be three sessions of the 'Sansad', says farmer leader
Farmer leader Raminder Singh Patiala said, "There will be three sessions of the 'Sansad'. Six members have been selected who will be chosen as speaker and deputy speaker for the three sessions. In the first session, farmer leaders Hannan Mollah and Manjeet Singh were selected for the posts".
We have written to all MPs to raise our demands, but Parliament not taking up our issues: Farmer union leader Hannan Mollah at Jantar Mantar.
Farmer Protest LIVE Updates: 'Kisan Sansad' begins at Jantar Mantar.
Farmer Protest LIVE Updates: Farmers hold 'kisan sansad' at Jantar Mantar in Delhi
Farmer Protest LIVE Updates: Bus carrying farmers reach Jantar Mantar
Delhi Police Ramp Up Preventive Measures
The Delhi Police have come out with preventive arrangements to check the entry of any miscreant at the Tikri border ahead of farmers' planned protest for the repeal of three farm laws.
Speaking to ANI, DCP, Outer District, Parvinder Singh, said, "We have placed preventive arrangements to avoid the entry of any miscreant at the Tikri border. The arrangement has been put in place as they (farmers) haven't received permission to hold protest here."
Will hold our own Parliament sessions at Jantar Mantar: Farmers' leader Rakesh Tikait
While the Monsoon Session of Parliament is on, the farmers' protest led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait is going to take place against the Centre's new farm laws just at a short distance away. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait on Wednesday said that the farmers will hold their own parliament sessions at Jantar Mantar.
While speaking to ANI, Rakesh Tikait said, "Parliament is just 150 metres away from Jantar Mantar. We will hold our own Parliament sessions there."
Country Has Seen Farm Laws Are In Favour Of Farmers: Agriculture Minister
The country has witnessed that these farm laws are beneficial and are in favour of the farmers. We have had discussions about these laws. If they express their issues with the laws point-wise, we can discuss it: Narendra Singh Tomar, Union agriculture minister
Ready To Talk To Farmers, Says Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar
Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the government is ready to resume talks with protesting farmers but asked them to point out their objections to the provisions of the three farm laws with sound logic.
Farmers Headed To Jantar Mantar
After the security checks at the resort, Delhi Police is escorting farmers to Jantar Mantar
Delhi Border: Farmers, Cops Negotiate
Farmers have been taken inside a resort for a head count and identity checking.
Farmers' Protest: What's Happening Now?Buses are stopped at Delhi border in Singhu.
Delhi police is asking them to take another route.
Farmers want to take GT Karnal Road.
Farmers' Protest
Farmers headed in buses to Jantar Mantar in central Delhi stopped at Delhi border. Police ask them to take another route.