The protesting farmers will have another round of talks with the Central government on Sunday 6PM.
Urged Centre to direct Haryana govt to maintain peace in border areas: Punjab CM
The Samyuktha Kisan Morcha (SKM) and central trade unions barring the BMS on Wednesday announced a 'Bharat Bandh' on February 16 to protest against Narendra Modi government's "growing corporate, communal and authoritarian attack" on people.
Amid Bharat Bandh call, farmers have called for a 'chakka jam' wherein they will block main roads to deter traffic movement.
“Not all businessmen of Delhi and the country are included in this Bharat Bandh. Every market is open today. It’s not completely possible to find a solution through agitation", he said.
Traffic snarls continue as commuters face delays and traffic jams entering into Delhi.
As we get the latest updates from the march, here are some stills from yesterday.
Bharatiya Kisan Union members detained by police as they were protesting for farmers demands at Gazipur, Delhi-UP border, Ghaziabad.
A police barricade secured with locks at Ghazipur border in view of farmers' protest march, in Ghaziabad.
A farmer shows an injury caused during a protest at a border crossing between Punjab and Haryana states.
Tractors and trolleys belonging to farmers, who are marching towards New Delhi.
Farmers receive treatment in an ambulance.
A farmer, shows an injury in his eye caused by pellets fired by police officials.
A man shows the injuries a farmer, caused by pellets.
Farmers protest at Shambhu border.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, a senior leader of Kisan Mazdoor Manch Sangarsh Commitee and Co-Ordinator of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha takes part in a protest.
Farmers prepare food at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border during a protest march.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Gulbahar Rao said, “A mandi operates only when they (farmers) come (to sell their crop). Farmers haven’t even come here (mandi) today,".
Farmer Gyan Singh had been complaining of breathing problems due to tear gas shelling. He complained of uneasiness and died of cardiac arrest in this morning.
His nephew Jagdish Singh said to the Indian Express, "On February 13, when shelling started, my uncle had gone near that location where tear gas shells were being lobbed. He inhaled it and had been feeling uneasy since then."
"Central government is the reason behind this agitation. We have a lot of people here (Shambhu border) participating in the protest including elders. We are facing difficulties in receiving medicines at the right time and even getting food, and resting,” he said.
“We had the discussion with the ministers. We will call it a ‘decision’, only if they will practically implement everything that they have said to us in the meeting. It will be our last option to move forward if nothing happens ever after the talk and giving enough time to the government,” he said.
"The road has not been blocked, the route has been diverted. This (Grameen Bharat Bandh call) will continue till 2-3 pm. Tomorrow, monthly panchayat is in Sisoli (village in UP's Meerut) where the future course of action will be decided," he said.
Speaking about the fourth meeting with the government, Jagjit Singh Dallewal said, "It is not right to say that this is the last meeting (between Centre and farmers). They want us to say that we ended the talks. The government will say that they want to find a resolution through talks but the farmers are not participating. We only focus on farmers' issues. They have sought couple of days' time. Meanwhile, our protest will continue."
Indian farmers demanding higher prices for their crops said they had paused their protest march to New Delhi on Friday until their unions hold another round of talks with government ministers on Sunday.
Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, who met farmers' representatives late on Thursday along with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and deputy interior minister Nityanand Rai, told reporters the talks were "positive", adding: "We believe we will all find a solution together peacefully."
Amidst the ongoing farmers’ 'mahapadav' in Delhi and the Gramin Bharat Bandh called today, the police lathi charged protesting farmers in Hanumangarh district here on Friday.
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