LIVE: Farmer leaders plan hunger strike on Dec 14, escalating protests

In a bid to intensify the ongoing protests at Delhi borders, farmers will block the Delhi-Jaipur road today. Stay tuned for latest updates on farmers' protest

2:28 PM

Govt brought farm laws to protect farmers' interest: Tomar

As the farmers' protest entered the 17th day on Saturday, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar communicated a fresh message to them about the Central government's sentiments and steps being taken for their welfare. He said the government brought the three farm laws only to protect the interests of the farmers and it is adopting all measures to make them and the agriculture sector more prosperous.

 

As the farmers are still adamant on their first and major demand to repeal the three contentious farm laws enacted in September during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Minister said the new laws were brought for major changes in the lives of farmers.

 

He said the government brought the laws to provide a fair price for the farmers' produce, increase their income, and make necessary changes in their lives.

1:38 PM

Farmers take over some toll plazas in Haryana, stop authorities from collecting fees as they intensify protest against new agri laws

1:24 PM

In Pics | Farmers take over UP-Delhi border as protest continues

Farmers make Chapati(bread) for the fellow farmers during the protest against Farm bill at Singhu Border, in New Delhi on Friday.

Farmers cook food for the fellow farmers during the protest against Farm bill at Singhu Border, in New Delhi on Friday.

Farmers sit on their tractor during the protest against Farm bill at Singhu Border, in New Delhi on Friday.

1:12 PM

Farmers picket toll plazas in Haryana

Intensifying their protest against the Centre's new agri laws, farmers took over some toll plazas in Haryana on Saturday, not allowing authorities to collect fees from commuters. The agitating farmers had earlier said they would picket toll plazas to press their demand for a repeal of the three new laws, which were voted through in Parliament in September amid strong protests by opposition parties. More than 100 farmers led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leaders Malkit Singh and Manish Chaudhry gathered at a toll plaza on the Ambala-Hisar highway, around 15 kilometers from Ambala city.

12:50 PM

Deployed forces to check that no miscreant joins the protest: UP ADG

We've deployed forces to check that no miscreant joins the protest. We're taking measures to see that public movement is not affected. We're ensuring that anti social elements, who're trying to create trouble, are being dealt with: Prashant Kumar, UP ADG (Law & Order)

12:18 PM

Farmers head to Delhi from Ghazipur border

12:06 PM

PM Modi backs farm laws at FICCI event, says it will open up new markets

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday reaffirmed his commitment to the agriculture reforms and said "we are bridging the gaps in the sector that will provide new markets and opportunities to farmers and attract investments." He said that the farm reforms will benefits farmers the most. The statement comes amid a standoff between the government and the farmers who are protesting for last two weeks demanding a repeal of recently passed farm laws. The prime minister was speaking after inaugurating the virtual FICCI annual expo 2020 which is being held virtually on December 11, 12 and 14, with the theme "Inspired India". Read More

PM Narendra Modi speaking during the inaugural of FICCI annual expo.

10:55 AM

If people of a banned org are roaming amid us, put them behind bars: Rakesh Tikait, Bharatiya Kisan Union

Central Intelligence should catch them. If people of a banned org are roaming amid us, put them behind bars. We haven't found any such person here, if we do we'll send them away: Rakesh Tikait, Bharatiya Kisan Union when asked if 'anti-national elements' got involved in agitation

10:26 AM

Haryana: Farmers head to Delhi, to join the agitation at the borders of the national capital against farm laws

10:06 AM

Andhra Pradesh CM asks banks to focus on doubling farmers' income

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday asked senior bank employees to focus on doubling farmers' income, reducing investment costs, providing proper market facilities for crops and supporting them at the time of natural disasters.

 

Reddy was addressing the 213th State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC), where he announced that a 7.5 per cent growth rate has been registered in the last quarter in issuing loans and 99 per cent of crop loans were disbursed.

 

"The government has started various initiatives to reduce the investment cost to farmers. The government has been providing financial assistance of Rs 13,500 per annum through Rythu Bharosa Scheme," said the Chief minister.

9:57 AM

Opposition efforts to spread disharmony won't be tolerated: Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday hit out at opposition parties for allegedly leading the farmer's movement towards disorientation, and said that the "malicious" efforts to spread disharmony in the country would not be tolerated.

 

He also commented on recent reports of farmers at the Tikri border holding posters of detained activists like Sharjil Imam and Omar Khalid, saying that statements from the Kisan Manch in their support showed the disorientation of the movement.

 

"Any kind of statement in support of the Sharjil Imam, Omar Khalid, shows the disorientation of the movement as a whole. The malicious effort to spread disharmony inside the country by taking the farmers forward will not be tolerated at all. What do these faces mean to the peasant movement? These people have never been friendly to farmers and the country," a statement quoted the Chief Minister.

 

He also said that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party were the real supporters of the country.

9:40 AM

Delhi Traffic Police informs commuters about closed routes amid farmers' protest

Amid the prevailing deadlock between farmers and the Central government over the new farm laws, the Delhi Traffic Police on Saturday informed commuters about routes closed for traffic in view of a large number of farmers camping at the Delhi's borders.

 

"Available Open Borders to Haryana are following Borders--Jharoda (Only Single Carriageway/Road), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera Borders," Delhi Traffic Police tweeted today.

 

" Tikri, Dhansa Borders are closed for any Traffic Movement. Jhatikara Borders is open only for two-wheelers and pedestrian movement," Delhi Traffic Police added.

7:38 AM

Modi needs to resolve the farm agitation or it may hurt India's recovery

Farmers’ protests are threatening to snowball into the biggest political crisis of Narendra Modi’s tenure.

 

To give in to demands and scrap the laws would be an uncharacteristic admission of defeat for India’s strongman prime minister, who promised they would transform agriculture. But letting the unrest linger could cause chaos in food markets, alienate urban consumers, and potentially derail the post-Covid recovery. Read on...

9:05 PM

If govt wants to talks to farmers it should convey that formally: Bharatiya Kisan Union

If the government wants to talk to farmer leaders that should be formally conveyed like in previous occasions, said Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait on Friday, asserting that anything less than scrapping of the new agri laws won't be accepted. The government on Thursday asked farmer groups to consider its proposals for amending the Acts to address their concerns and said it was open to discussing its offer further whenever the unions want.

 

"They (government) should first tell us when and where they want to meet us as they did for previous formal talks. If they invite us for talks, we will discuss that with our coordination committee and then take a decision," Tikait told PTI. The BKU leader said there was no question of returning home until the government repeals the three laws. Asked whether the government has sent any invite for further discussion, he said the farmer unions have not received anything as such.

 

"One thing is very clear that farmers will not accept anything less than scrapping of new agriculture laws," he said.

 

Farmers leaders on Thursday announced they would block railway tracks across the country if their demands were not met by the government and would announce a date for that soon. However, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has expressed hope there would be a resolution soon.

8:19 PM

LIVE: 68 Magistrates appointed amid farmer's threats to block National Highway-48

In view of the decision of various farmers' associations to block the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway (National Highway-48) on December 12, the District Magistrate of Gurugram Amit Khatri has appointed 68 Duty Magistrates at multiple locations in the district on Friday. These duty magistrates will be on duty along with the police officers throughout the day.

 

Meanwhile, Anju Chaudhary, Chief Executive Officer of Gurugram Mahanagar City Bus Limited, has been appointed as overall in-charge for the entire district in case of blocking the highway. Apart from this, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Gurugram, Badshahpur, Pataudi and Sohna will be in-charge in their respective areas.

 

After the farmers decided on Wednesday to intensify their protest, Gurugram Police have already beefed up security at key roads of the city along with, toll plazas, Delhi-Haryana border and state highways in view of protesters' plan to block the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway on December 12. Around 2,000 police personnel have been deployed at various points along NH-48 on December 12 to ensure law and order is maintained and there is no disruption to traffic movement.