Farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri points between Punjab and Haryana
Tear gas shells were fired at thousands of farmers riding tractors prepared to resume their push towards New Delhi on Wednesday after failing to reach a deal with the government on their demands for higher crop prices. Police have kept a miles-long column of farmers atop agricultural machinery at bay since last week.
Farm unions are demanding a law to set a minimum price on all crops, expanding a government scheme that already exists for staples including rice and wheat.
Here are the LIVE updates on the farmers' protests:
Kept Order Despite Haryana Cops Injuring 160 Farmers: Punjab To CentreIn a strong response to an advisory issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the wake of the farmer agitation, the Punjab government has said it is "completely wrong" to say that the state is allowing protesters to gather at the borders. It has claimed that despite over 160 people being injured because of the use of tear gas shells, rubber bullets, drones and physical force by the Haryana Police, the Punjab government has maintained the law and order situation "with responsibility". Read
here PM-Kisan, Budget Hike, Kisan Rail: Government Sources List Pro-Farmer StepsSources in the Centre have said that the Narendra Modi government has taken several pro-farmer steps during its 10 years in power, including a hike in budget allocation for agriculture, assistance under the PM-Kisan scheme and the Kisan credit card system. Read
here What Are Farmers' Demands
Farm unions are demanding a law to set a minimum price on all crops, expanding a government scheme that already exists for staples including rice and wheat. They have also demanded other concessions including the waiving of loans and universal pensions for farmers aged 60 and above. Protesters temporarily paused their procession last week to await the outcome of negotiations between government ministers and unions.
"This Movement Will Continue": Farmer Leader Rakesh Tikait
"This movement will continue, a solution can be found only through dialogue... SKM (Samyukt Kisan Morcha) will meet tomorrow and decide what to do," said Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait in UP's Meerut on farmers' protest.
"Solution Can Be Found Only Through Dialogue": Agriculture Minister To Farmers
Kisan Andolan in Delhi:
Delhi Eastern Range's Additional CP Sagar Singh Kalsi says, "...We are at the Ghazipur border. We are coordinating with the Police in the adjacent districts of UP - Ghaziabad and Noida. There is no specific input as such regarding farmers coming to the Ghazipur side. But our more important priority is to maintain peace in the area. You can see that the traffic movement is going on smoothly...Our patrolling in the area is also going on so that crime and the situation in the area are under control...At present the traffic is smooth at all the major eastern borders in Delhi - Chilla Border, Ghazipur Border, NH9, Bhopra Border, Apsara Border and Meet Nagar. There is no diversion."
Farmers Delhi Chalo March: Commuters face massive traffic jams on Delhi-Gurugram roads
Daily commuters between Delhi and Gurugram have been facing massive traffic jams on Wednesday after protesting farmers announced to continue their 'Delhi Chalo' agitation.
Delhi Police, along with their counterpart in Gurugram, have made elaborate arrangements to stop the farmers from entering the national capital by putting up road blockades at different borders.
The move led to traffic chaos at places like Rajokri border, Sarhol border, Delhi-Gurugram Highway (NH-48) and Delhi-Bahadurgarh Highway during the official hours from 7 am to almost 11 am.
Several videos were shared online of hundreds of vehicles stuck in traffic jam at Delhi-Gurugram and Delhi-Bahadurgarh roads due to the restriction of movement.
Multi-layered barricades have been put up at several locations.
Farmers Protest Live Updates: Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda invites farmers for fifth round of talks.
Mr Munda posted on X, "After the fourth round, the government is ready to discuss all the issues like MSP, crop diversification, stubble issue, FIR in the fifth round. I again invite the farmer leaders for discussion. It is important for us to maintain peace."