LIVE: SC to hear plea on removal of farmers from Delhi borders on Dec 16
The hunger strike between 8 am to 5 pm on Monday is part of the farmers' plan to intensify their agitation from Dec 14. Stay tuned for more updates
 "Farmers at sit-in protest at Ghazipur border")
Farmers during their sit-in protest against the Centres farm reform laws, near Ghazipur border in New Delhi, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist)
Bid to label farmers as 'separatists', says British MP Dhesi
British Labour parliamentarian Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, who has been a vocal supporter of the protesting farmers in India, has slammed the media for spreading 'misinformation' in a bid to label protesting farmers as 'separatists or terrorists'. The outspoken Sikh MP for Slough, who earlier wrote to British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab along with 35 other cross-party MPs asking to raise the issue of farmers' agitation with New Delhi, tweeted on Saturday, "Your abuse and intimidation won't deter me from speaking the truth".
In a series of tweets, Dhesi said, "Some in the media have begun misinformation of labelling peaceful farmers, or those speaking up for them, as separatists or terrorists.
Singhu border, farmers' first key agitation site, turns into commanding centre
Singhu border, the first key farmers' agitation site, on Delhi-Chandigarh route has turned into a commanding centre of farmers' demonstration in the national capital during the last 17 days with making future strategy for the sit-in and selecting representatives to hold discussion with government in resolving their issues that erupted after three farm laws were enacted three months ago by the Parliament.
The peaceful protest that involves thousands of farmers mainly from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh is being centrally monitored by a group of farmers' representatives belonging to over 40 farmer unions of different states and towns who have been camping at Singhu since November 26.
Far from over 50 km from Central Delhi, Singhu, where majority of 'Jat and Gujjar' community reside, came into limelight when thousands of farmers carrying flags and shouting slogans gathered there as well as Tikri border on Delhi-Haryana route 17 days ago blocking the connectivity from Punjab and Haryana respectively in a determined bid to push their way through as part of their 'Delhi Chalo' march while police blocked them with barricades, tear gas shells and batons.
Farmers' protest at Singhu border enters day 18
Delhi Police traffic alert
Delhi Police traffic alert: Tikri, Dhansa Borders are closed for any traffic movement
Activist Licypriya Kangujam comes out in support of farmers' protest
Nine-year-old climate activist, Licypriya Kangujam has come out in support of the ongoing farmers' protest. While showing solidarity with the farmers, she told them millions of climate activists of the world are with them. On the 5th Anniversary of Paris Agreement on Saturday, she protested with the farmers as a part of global climate strike against the inaction by the world leaders following the signing 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, which legally binds international treaty on climate change.
Showing support to the farmers' who are protesting against the new Agri laws, she said, "Our farmers are the biggest victim of climate change. Frequent floods, droughts and other extreme weather events like cyclones, typhoons, locusts, etc are destroying their crops. Thousands of farmers are dying every year. Our leaders must listen to the voice of the farmers. We want climate justice for our farmers and also should take out a permanent solution to solve the ongoing farmers' crisis at the earliest."
Farmers' leaders who remain stubborn despite govt accepting demands will lose relevance: Som Prakash
Union Minister Som Prakash who was in the three-minister team discussing amendments with farmers to build a consensus, said that leaders of these unions will soon become irrelevant. Prakash told ANI that those leaders who remained stubborn, despite the government agreeing on all their demands will lose their relevance and command over farmers.
"The farmers' union leaders who remain adamant on the agitation will become irrelevant and it is also possible that they may lose command over unions and other leaders will emerge. The leader who does not act in time will not be able to remain one," warned Som Prakash, Minister of State of Commerce and Industry. The minister also revealed that the government had accepted all the demands put forth by the farmer unions in the meeting.
"All of them left the meeting on a positive note. Unfortunately, a few unions put pressure on those who had approved the proposed amendments," said the minister. Prakash said farmer unions need to understand that this agitation isn't in the interest of the country and Punjab as there some wrong elements can vitiate the atmosphere. "Let us not harm Punjab's interest. The people of Punjab are hardworking and passionate. We hope they understand," stated the minister.
BJP ally Beniwal joins farmers protest in Rajasthan
Farmers in Rajasthan blocked highways at several places on Saturday to protest against the Centre's new agri laws, with BJP-ally Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) MP Hanuman Beniwal joining one such demonstration. Terming the new farm laws as "anti-farmer", Beniwal, the convenor of RLP, said if Prime Minister Narendra Modi is equally concerned about the farmers, he should implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.
Beniwal along with his supporters also announced that they would move towards the Rajasthan-Delhi border to protest against the new farm laws. Addressing a 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' organized at Kotputli, Beniwal said before bringing the farm laws, the Centre did not hold discussions with stakeholders.
"When all three bills were brought, they did not talk to anyone. We are also a part of the NDA. We are also the sons of farmers. They should have talked to us. They should have told us that they are bringing such a bill for farmers. I do not know who drafted the bills... They were brought and passed," Beniwal said. He added, "If the prime minister is equally worried about the farmers, then he should implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission report." Beniwal said "these three bills are anti-farmer and the government should enact a new law to benefit the farmers.
Farmers' protest LIVE: Delhi Police closes Gazipur border for traffic from Noida, Ghaziabad
Farmers protest: 3,500 police personnel to be deployed at 5 Delhi-Haryana toll plazas
With farmers gearing up to block the highway and picket toll plazas on the border to Delhi on Saturday in response to a call from protesting farmer unions to intensify their agitation against the three agricultural sector laws, police personnel have been deployed in strength to protect toll booths and ensure smooth flow of traffic, Faridabad Police said. As many as 3,500 police personnel will be deployed at the five toll plazas in the area, a statement said.
It said that police will keep a close watch on protestors who may disrupt law and order under the guise of the movement at the Badarpur Border, Gurugram Faridabad, Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal, Pali Crusher Zone and Dhauj toll plazas. Station house officers and the Police Reserve Force of the respective police stations will also be deployed and personnel will be equipped with anti-riot equipment. A drone will be on guard to keep an eye from above.
The statement quoted Deputy Commissioner of Police Arpit Jain saying, "We respect everyone but if law and order is breached in any way, strict action will be taken by the police." The ongoing protest of the farmers against the three new agriculture laws entered its 16th day on Friday with the farmers' unions now threatening to block railway tracks.
Amid protest against new farm laws, farmers open makeshift gym at Singhu border
Amid the protest against newly enacted farm laws, farmers at the Singhu border opened a gym and invite others as well to use the makeshift facility. "We have brought all the gym equipment and till the time central government does not agree on our demand, will do exercise at this location only," a farmer, Jaspreet Singh told ANI on Saturday.
Jaspreet further added that those who are interested in doing work out at the gym can also join. Endorsing the idea of the gym, Rupnagar-based Jaspreet said, "It is part of our daily routine so we decided to set up one here. People visit the gym according to their convenience."
Protesting farmers agree to open Chilla road at Noida border
A key road connecting Noida to Delhi, which remained obstructed since December 1 due to the farmers' protest, reopened late on Saturday night, officials said. The Noida-Delhi Link Road was closed due to a sit-in demonstration by some farmers at the Chilla border.
These protesters are against the three new farm laws and have demanded their withdrawal. "The farmers have agreed to vacate the protest spot and the road would be completely open. As of now, some protesters are still on one carriageway but they would clear the road soon," Noida Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh S told PTI around 11.30 pm.
Agri reforms to usher in new investments, farmers to gain: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that agricultural reforms will usher in new investments into the sector. The Prime Minister said this during a video conference on the occasion of the 93rd annual general meeting of industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci). Modi said that agricultural reforms will increase synchronisation in the sector and help create better logistics and cold-chain infrastructure.
The Prime Minister told the gathering that investment in technology, cold storage and the agri-sector will benefit the farmers. Besides, he also dwelled on the steps to help the farmers and the agri-sector at length. According to the Prime Minister, through policy and intention, the government is committed to the welfare of the farmers.
Noting the increasing vibrancy of the agri-sector, he talked of the new alternatives available to the farmers to sell their produce outside the mandis, modernisation of mandis and option of selling produce on electronic platform. He pointed out that all this is directed to make the farmer prosperous as prosperous farmer means prosperous nation. Furthermore, Modi cited that private sector investment in the agriculture sector is not up to the mark.
He said in the fields of supply chain, cold storage and areas like fertilisers etc., both the interest and investment of the private sector is needed. There is a huge scope in rural agro-based industries and a friendly policy regime is in place for that, the Prime Minister said.
Have not received any reply from farmers on govt proposal, says Tomar
Amid the ongoing farmers' protest against the farm laws, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday said that the Central government has sent their proposal to the farmers union, adding that they have discussed it but have not responded to the same. "Our proposal is with them (farmers), they discussed it but we have not received any reply from them. We came to know through media that they have rejected the proposal. Yesterday I had said that if they want to, we can definitely talk about the proposal," said Agriculture Minister NS Tomar.
The Union Minister expressed hope that the government will be able to find the solution to the issues raised by the protesting farmers. "I think we will find a solution. I am hopeful. I would like to urge the Farmer Unions that they should break the deadlock. The government has sent them a proposal. If there is an objection over the provisions of an Act, the discussion will be held over it," Union Minister Tomar said.
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First Published: Dec 13 2020 | 6:58 AM IST
