Third round of government-farmers talks positive, next meeting on February 18

The third visit of talks between farmer leaders and the central government was positive. On Thursday (February 15), 14 farmer leaders held a meeting with government ministers for about five hours, after which a solution is expected soon. Now the next round meeting will be held on Sunday (February 18) at 6 pm. Meanwhile, farmers announced that they will continue their protest and observe “Bharat Bandh” on Friday (February 16).

What issues were discussed in the meeting and what happened?

After the end of the meeting with the farmer unions, Union Minister Arjun Munda said, “Today there was a very positive discussion between the government and the farmer unions. Focusing on the issues raised by the farmer unions, we have decided that the next meeting will be held on Sunday evening at 6 pm.” It will be o’clock. We will all find a solution peacefully.”

After the meeting, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said, “Today there was a long discussion between the farmers union and the central government. Every topic was discussed positively in detail. Internet has been closed in the border areas, due to which the students are facing problems during the examinations. “It is happening. The next meeting is on Sunday. Many issues have been agreed upon. Law and order and the problems of the people of Punjab are also a matter of concern. We should not have any shortage of oil or milk or anything coming from outside.”

ਕੇਂਦਰ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੇ ਚਿੱਠੀ ਕੱਢ ਕੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਸੰਗਰੂਰ, ਪਟਿਆਲਾ ਤੇ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਫਤਿਹਗੜ੍ਹ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੰਟਰਨੈੱਟ ਬੰਦ ਕਰਵਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ… ਸਾਡੇ ਵਾਲੇ ਪਾਸੇ ਡ੍ਰੋਨ ਨਾਲ ਸੈੱਲ ਸੁੱਟ ਰਹੇ ਨੇ…ਜਿਸਦਾ ਮੈਂ ਵਿਰੋਧ ਜਤਾਇਆ…ਸਾਡੇ ਨਾਲ ਬੇਗਾਨੇ ਦੇਸ਼ ਦੇ ਨਾਗਰਿਕਾਂ ਵਾਲਾ ਵਿਤਕਰਾ ਨਾ ਕਰੋ… pic.twitter.com/J18BQ2eZd6

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) February 15, 2024

Mann said, “Since the farmers of Punjab are the most affected, I came forward as the head of the state. All issues were discussed in detail. I raised the issue of internet suspension in three districts and its impact on students taking the exams. What is their mistake? The farmers showed the shells fired at them. We said that farmers should not be treated like this.”

ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾਤਰ ਵਿਸ਼ਿਆਂ 'ਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੀ ਸਹਿਮਤੀ ਬਣੀ ਹੈ… ਮੇਰੀ ਕੇਂਦਰ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸਾਡੇ ਕਿਸਾਨ ਨੇ ਪੂਰੀ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਬਣਾਈ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ ਤੇ ਹਰਿਆਣੇ ਵਾਲੇ ਪਾਸਿਓਂ ਵੀ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਰੱਖਣ ਲਈ ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾਵੇ…ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਤੇ ਕਿਸਾਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਣ ਦੇਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ… pic.twitter.com/fWPitfcFc5

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) February 15, 2024

Got assurance from the Center asking the Haryana government to exercise restraint. He (Mann) said, “We have told them to tell the Haryana government not to fire ammunition in our jurisdiction.”

The CM said that on his part, farmer leaders had issued an appeal the previous day to maintain peace and they have followed it.

I do not want our youth to become victims of tear gas shells and bullets. I am with Punjab and Punjabis. As the custodian of the state, I have to look after the welfare of 3 crore people. We do not want a situation where we have to face shortage of fuel and other goods. The movement will continue peacefully.

Bhagwant Mann, CM, Punjab

What did the farmer leaders say after the meeting?

Expressing concern about the current environment including suspension of social media accounts and use of tear gas shells during peaceful talks, Sarwan Singh Pandher said, “We said that we are not Pakistan. We want a peaceful solution, not conflict. “They assured us that our social media accounts would be restarted.”

Central leaders assured farmer leaders that they will restore internet in the state and reinstate their suspended social media pages

Earlier, the BJP-led Haryana government has announced extension of the internet shutdown in districts including Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa in view of the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. This is the third time that internet services have been suspended in the state this month due to protests.

Meanwhile, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) coordinator Jagjit Singh Dallewal said, “The protest will continue peacefully. We will not do anything else. We will also appeal to the farmers. When the meetings are going on and we are moving forward (at the borders) “, then how will the meetings continue? The government has called a meeting, we will wait till then. If we do not get any positive result on Sunday, we will continue the protest.”

If the commitments made during the meeting are translated into action, it will be extremely beneficial for the farmer.

Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Coordinator, United Kisan Morcha

Farmer leaders said that they will convey the information shared here to the people of the Morcha.

In Sunday’s meeting the ministers assured us of paperwork and updates. We held this marathon meeting because we want to resolve things before the code of conduct is implemented.

Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Coordinator, United Kisan Morcha

According to the information, Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai represented the Central Government in the meeting, while Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was present on behalf of Punjab.

Earlier, previous talks with farmer leaders had also been inconclusive, after which the farmers had announced to take out ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. The first meeting between farmer leaders and the Center was held on 8 February, while the second was held on 12 February.

The farmers, who are demanding a law on MSP and loan waiver among other issues, were represented by Pandher and Dallewal.

Both of them are among those leading the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march started by farmers of Punjab on Tuesday (February 13). Farmers have been stopped at Shambhu and Khanauri border points with Haryana, where they faced teargas, water cannons and rubber pellets.

Farmers announce ‘Bharat Bandh’

The organizations have called on farmers to suspend all agricultural work and block roads across the country between 6 am and 4 pm on Friday (February 16). Senior leaders of nine central trade unions will also hold a joint protest at Jantar Mantar on 21 demands, which include law on MSP, minimum pension and minimum wage.

Noida Police issued advisory

Traffic advisory has been issued between the farmers’ demonstration and the announcement of “Bharat Bandh”.

🚨यातायात एडवाइजरी🚨
यातायात हेल्पलाइन नं०–9971009001 https://t.co/ho5dEJOeuY pic.twitter.com/ODsBsRv3IL

— Noida Traffic Police (@noidatraffic) February 16, 2024

Police has said that intensive checking will be done by Delhi Police and Gautam Buddha Nagar Police by installing barriers on all the borders of Delhi border, due to which, in case of increase in traffic pressure on the routes from Gautam Buddha Nagar to Delhi border, traffic will be diverted as per requirement. Police has also issued a helpline number.