Punjab Farmers

Condition critical, say doctors as farmer Dallewal's fast enters Day 27

As Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's fast-unto-death entered its 27th day on Sunday, doctors termed his health condition "critical". Doctors attending to him at the Khanauri border protest site reiterated that Dallewal is at the risk of cardiac arrest and multi-organ failure. Dallewal, 70, has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP on crops. A statement issued by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha said following the advice of doctors, the veteran farmer leader did not come on stage on Sunday. Due to the continuous hunger strike for 27 days, his immunity has become very weak, putting him at the risk of infection, the statement said. "His hands and feet were cold. Starvation is adversely affecting his nervous system, and vital organs like liver and kidneys," a doctor who examined Dall

Farmers call 'Punjab bandh' on Dec 30 over demands related to MSP, debts

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Wednesday said farmers have given a call for 'Punjab bandh' on December 30 as he slammed the Centre for not accepting the demands of protesting farmers. Pandher said the decision to give the 'bandh' call was taken by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. "There will be a complete 'bandh' on December 30," said Pandher. Addressing the media in Amritsar, Pandher said emergency services will remain operational during the 'bandh'. He appealed to people, including traders, businessmen, transporters to make the 'bandh' successful. "Like the 'Rail Roko' protest was a success. Similarly, the Punjab bandh should also be made successful," he said. Train services in Punjab were affected as farmers squatted on rail tracks at more than 50 places on Wednesday as part of their three-hour 'Rail Roko' protest to press the Centre into accepting their various demands, including a legally binding minimum support price for crops. Acco

Farmers protest: Pandher calls for 'rail roko' protest in Punjab on Dec 18

Farmers' protests: Punjab farmers have planned a three-hour 'rail roko' protest on Wednesday; Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved a motion in LS to discuss Jagjit Singh Dallewal's hunger strike

Farmer leader Pandher urges people of Punjab to join 'Rail Roko' on Dec 18

Pandher announced that a tractor march would be organised outside Punjab on December 16, followed by a 'Rail Roko' in Punjab on December 18

SC orders aid to ailing farm leader, urges adoption of 'Gandhian' protest

Observing protesting farmers should adopt the Gandhian way, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered immediate medical aid to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose health is deteriorating owing to his indefinite fast of over a fortnight at a Punjab-Haryana border. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan directed the Centre and Punjab government representatives to immediately meet Dallewal, who has completed over 17 days of fast. "Farmers should not get violent and do peaceful agitation. They should adopt the Gandhian way of protests because their grievances are being looked into," the bench said after being informed that violent agitations had created problems at both the sites. The court further asked to provide him with medical help and persuade him to break his indefinite fast saying his life was precious. "It is the bounden duty of the state of Punjab and union of India to take all peaceful measures and provide adequate immediate medical aid to Dallewal without forcing

Centre should resolve farmers' issues without delay: Punjab Speaker

Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Monday slammed the Centre, accusing it of being "indifferent" to the genuine demands of farmers and leaving them "high and dry on the roads". Urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open channels of communication with the protesting farmers, Sandhwan stressed that the Centre must take decisive action and resolve the farmers' issues without dragging its feet. "It was a bitter pill for Punjab's farmers to swallow, being left high and dry on the roads, while the Union government remained indifferent," said Sandhwan in a statement. He said in other countries, including those in Europe, farmers can take their issues straight to their parliaments, whereas Indian farmers are given "the cold shoulder" when they raise valid concerns. The Speaker reminded the Centre that the country's farmers not only put food on the table for millions but also serve as the backbone of India's trade, industry, and economy by producing a variety of crops. He ca

SC rejects plea to remove road blockades from farmers' protest in Punjab

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea seeking directions to the Centre and other authorities to immediately clear blockades on national and state highways in Punjab where farmers are staging protests. A bench of justices Surya Kant and Manmohan said the matter is already pending before the court and it cannot entertain repetitive petitions on the same issue. "We are already examining the larger issue. You are not the only conscience keeper of society. Don't file repetitive petitions. Some are filing for publicity interest and some are filing to play to the gallery. We cannot entertain repetitive petitions on the same issue," the bench told petitioner Gaurav Luthra, who claimed to be a social activist in Punjab. The court also refused Luthra's request to tag the petition with the pending matter. Farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since

Punjab farmers continue protest for second day, demand paddy procurement

Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh committee and Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) took part in the protest

Protest is by Punjab farmers only till now: Rakesh Tikait on agitation

Tikait said the government should tell the farmers, what should they do about stubble

Farmers block roads, tracks to protest tardy paddy purchase in Punjab

Punjab farmers on Sunday blocked roads and squatted on rail tracks at many places in the state as part of their protest against the alleged tardy procurement of paddy in the ongoing Kharif marketing season. While the Samyukta Kisan Morcha has given a call for a statewide road blockade from 12 to 3 pm, the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) has also given a call for 'rail roko' for three hours. Police diverted road traffic through alternative routes. In Ludhiana, farmers disrupted road traffic at many places, including Samrala, Kohara, Khanna, Raikot, Doraha, Payal and Jagraon. Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said despite assurances by the state government regarding the smooth procurement of paddy, farmers are facing problems in grain markets. In Amritsar, protesting farmers squatted on Wallha railway crossing to protest against the slow purchase of the paddy crop. Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Parminder Singh Ugrah said farmers have blocked the Amritsar-Pathankot rail track. Far

Farmers, millers, arhtiyas to hold 'chakka jam' in Punjab on October 13

Farmers, millers, and arhtiyas in Punjab will hold a statewide 'chakka jam' on Sunday between 12PM to 3 pm, protesting delays in paddy procurement and lifting, causing traffic disruptions

Agriculture policy almost ready, says Punjab CM Mann amid farmers protest

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday said the state's agriculture policy is almost ready and his government will call stakeholders for further consultation. The statement came amid a protest by the Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) and the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union which are pressing for the implementation of the agriculture policy. Participating in the discussion on the concluding day of the three-day Punjab Assembly session, Mann said the agriculture policy is almost ready. "We will speak to stakeholders, (farmers) unions and organisations related to farming in this regard," he said in the state assembly. Mann said his government always supports that policies should be framed with the consultation of stakeholders, unlike the Union government which introduces its policies without applying mind and consulting the people. He cited the example of the three farm laws which were later withdrawn by the BJP-led government at the Centre after protests by the farming community. Fa

BJP distances itself from Kangana Ranaut's remarks on farmers' protest

Apart from western Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, poll-bound Haryana has been one of the centres of the farmers' protests. Polling in Haryana is scheduled for October 1

Centre's 5-crop MSP proposal: Why Punjab farmers are reluctant to diversify

As Centre proposes purchase of alternative crops at MSP, a look at why Punjab farmers are reluctant to diversify

Farmers promise peaceful protest, Centre says must continue discussions

Farmers protest latest news: Centre has estimated that nearly 14,000 people have gathered along the Punjab-Haryana border with 1,200 tractor-trolleys, 300 cars, 10 mini-buses as well as small vehicles

We had asked for MSP guarantee on purchase of pulses: Bhagwant Mann

"The discussions went on for five hours. I talked about the benefits for Punjab. We had asked for an MSP guarantee on the purchase of pulses, which was discussed today," Mann said

Farmers' protest: Internet ban extended in parts of Punjab till Feb 24

The suspension of internet services has been extended in certain areas of some Punjab districts, including Patiala, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib, till February 24 on the orders of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Earlier, the internet services were suspended from February 12 till 16 in view of the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march. According to the ministry's February 16 order, internet services will remain suspended in areas falling under Shambhu, Julkan, Passian, Patran, Shatrana, Samana, Ghanaur, Devigarh and Balbhera police stations in Patiala; Lalru police station in Mohali; Sangat police station in Bathinda; Killianwali police station in Muktsar; Sardulgarh and Boha police stations in Mansa; and Khanauri, Moonak, Lehra, Sunam and Chajli police stations in Sangrur; and areas under Fatehgarh Sahib police station. The Centre used its special powers under the Telegraph Act of 1885 to suspend internet services in these areas of Punjab. "In exercise of the power conferred by section 7

Farmers gear up for another round of talks after almost week of protests

The farmers have been massing at the Punjab-Haryana border since Feb. 12, prevented from marching toward Delhi by police barricades of barbed wire and metal barriers.

Farmers to stay put at Punjab-Haryana borders as deadlock persists

Protesting farmers will stay put at the two borders of Punjab and Haryana over their various demands as the deadlock persisted despite the third round of talks with a panel of Union ministers. A five-hour meeting, which started around 8:45 pm on Thursday, between three Union ministers and the farmer leaders remained inconclusive. The two sides will now meet on February 18 for the fourth round of talks. The two previous rounds of dialogue on February 8 and 12 also remained inconclusive. Union Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai represented the Centre at Thursday's meeting over the farmer unions' various demands, including a law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also joined the meeting at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Sector 26 here. The Samyu

MSP of wheat and paddy: How the two states Punjab and Haryana fared

Data on the number of farmers isn't comparable as no record was maintained before 2015-16