New Delhi: 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:
Feb 21, 2024 16:24 (IST)
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.
Feb 21, 2024 16:15 (IST)
"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.