Farmers Protest Highlights: Meeting of central ministers, Mann with leaders of protesting farmer unions under way

Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, Union Food and Consumers Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai will hold talks with farmers once again on Thursday.

Born to fight

The farmers are in no mood to give up as they step up the agitation against the Centre.

Farmers prepare tea as they are set to meet three union ministers in Chandigarh

Confident that positive solution will emerge from this meeting: General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Sarvan Singh Pandher

The are doing this only to show off their leadership: Dilip Ghosh attacks Tikait

“PM Modi is continuously working towards helping the farmers and improving their situations. Fertilizer prices have been reduced, and ‘Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)’ has been launched. Farmers are happy all over the country. They (referring to Tikait) are doing this only to show off their leadership," says BJP's Dilip Ghosh.

Panel of 3 union ministers to hold talks with farmer leaders in Chandigarh

This will be the third round of talks between the two sides: the previous two rounds of dialogue on February 8 and 12 remained inconclusive.

Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and BKU Dakaunda (Dhaner) have announced 'rail roko' in the state on Thursday. Farmers will squat on rail tracks at seven locations from 12 noon to 4 pm.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha has also decided to hold protests at toll plazas from 11 am till 2 pm.

Farmers prepare food

Our demands aren’t 'repetition' but a matter of life and death for us. We will put forward our point in front of the ministers: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher

Government has betrayed us: Farmer Gurjan Singh

"We are protesting peacefully. The Modi government had ensured a law on MSP, however, the government has betrayed us. We will definitely take MSP. We will move towards Delhi in groups and break these barricades. God willing the government will agree to make MSP law during today's meeting," says a farmer Gurjan Singh.

Commuters face traffic jams entering into Delhi due to protestors

This agitation will get bigger in the coming days: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher

Punjab & Haryana HC to continue hearing today pleas against protest as well as against "obstructive" measures adopted by govt.

“When our farmers are marching towards Delhi with their demands, our Prime Minister is travelling abroad. If he will give the guarantee of MSP, then I will think he is truly the leader of the country,” says Sanjay Raut

A file photo of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut at Parliament House in New Delhi.

One should acknowledge the fact that our agriculture is in crisis and our farmers have genuine grievances: General Secretary of the Communist Party of India, D. Raja on farmers protest

“It’s good that this government (BJP) has announced Bharat Ratna for MS Swaminathan, the agricultural scientist, but it was the Swaminathan commission that gave the recommendation that farmers should be given MSP. Then why it is not being done?" he said.

“Samajwadi Party condemns BJP’s efforts to crush and suppress the movement (farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march). The government should talk to them (farmers) and fulfill their demands," Samajwadi Party spokesperson Fakrul Hasan Chand said on farmers’ protest.

Farmers' protest march: Delhi Police orders 30,000 tear gas shells

The Delhi Police has placed orders for more than 30,000 tear gas shells, an official said, as the force prepares to prevent Punjab farmers from entering the national capital under their 'Dilli Chalo' protest.

Hundreds of farmers marching from Punjab have been stopped at the state's border with Haryana near Ambala, about 200 kilometers away from Delhi. Haryana security forces have used tear gas on them to try and disperse them.

A Delhi Police source said they are determined to not let the protesters enter the national capital should they advance.

Singhu, Tikri borders remain sealed as farmers' stir enters day 3, Delhi Police extra vigilant

Two key border points between Delhi and Haryana remain closed for traffic while security personnel in anti-riot gears were deployed at strategic locations in the national capital as farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' agitation entered the third day on Thursday.

While the two borders - Tikri and Singhu -- with Haryana remain closed, movement was allowed through the Ghazipur border with Uttar Pradesh under the watch of security personnel.

Vehicles stuck in a traffic due to the ongoing farmer protest

Protesters from Rajpura, Patiala are sitting on rail tracks and blocking trains at Rajpura Railway Station.

PM should speak to 3 Union ministers to resolve farmers' demands: Farmer leader Pandher

Ahead of a meeting with a panel of the Centre, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Thursday said the prime minister should speak to the three visiting Union ministers to resolve the farmers' issues.

Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai will meet the farmer leaders at 5 pm here over their various demands, including a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

Hearing begins Punjab & Haryana HC against protest as well as against "obstructive" measures adopted by govt.

Discussions should be done democratically so that a solution can be reached: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar on farmers protest

On farmers' protest, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar says "...Raising demands and going to Delhi is everyone's right but the motive has to be seen. We have seen all of this last year, how a scene was created and they occupied various borders which created problems for everyone...We have an objection to the way they are protesting...Tractor is not a mode of transport, they can come on buses or trains. Discussions should be done democratically so that a solution can be reached..."

Punjab & Haryana HC adjourns matter against farmer protest as well as against "obstructive" measures adopted by govt till next week Tuesday

Farmers stage a protest at a toll plaza in Gurdaspur, Punjab

Farmers continue to stay put after being stopped by security forces from entering the national capital

Visuals from farmers' 'Rail Roko' protest

Protesters moving like an army marching to attack, taking along JCBs, ration for a year, tractor-trolleys: Haryana CM on farmers' stir.

Farmers are protesting, country is burning; but BJP is not bothered: Mamata Banerjee. The Bengal CM also added that the administration of 'Ravan has crossed all Lakshman Rekhas'

Congress will give legal status to guarantee MSP: Party's Rajasthan chief Dotasra

Our leader Rahul Gandhi and also the national President Mallikarjun Kharge have very clearly and categorically said that if Congress will come to power we'll give legal status to guarantee the MSP... Congress stands firm with the peaceful protest of farmers," said Rajasthan Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra.

Farmer leader says joint meeting of all farmers' and labour organisations on Feb 18

Some visuals of the farmers protests

2 PILs filed in Punjab & Haryana High Court, Centre ready for talks with farmers: Additional Solicitor General of India

Additional Solicitor General of India, Satya Pal Jai, representing the Centre says, "Two PILs have been filed in Punjab & Haryana High Court. We told the court that Govt of India is ready for talks with farmer representatives and there will be a meeting between farmers and 2-3 Union ministers in Chandigarh. We trust that a positive outcome will come out of the meeting. We informed the court that a petitioner has written to the UN seeking international intervention in the matter. We told the court that approaching SC, HC is the right of every person but going against the country and talking about the issue internationally is wrong. The court told the petitioner to withdraw his petition...Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh UT have filed status reports before the court. Both the states stated before court that the situation is tense but it is under control. The next hearing in the case will be on 20th February.

Nothing on legal guarantee for MSP was ever said, says PM MSP panel member

Binod Anand, Member, PM MSP Committee says, "If this is the (legal guarantee on MSP) the only way country's economic progress and farmers' welfare, we will leave no stone unturned in doing this. But when was the law on MSP guaranteed? The PM never said that...These are hooligan farmers and a few people politically inspired people...People of a particular state are using farmers in this manner against their political rivals...Nothing on legal guarantee for MSP was ever said...We have to make such agri policies that will be valid until 2075 so that financial inequalities go down...MSP is a complex subject, they should come and sit with us. I assure them that if I am unable to answer all their questions, I will resign from the committee...This is a drama and something to distract and break the nation.

MSP law demand reiterated as farmers prepare for 3rd round of talks with Centre

Called for 'Gramin bharat bandh, new line of thinking will emerge from this: Farm leader Rakesh Tikait

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait.

Barricading is wrong. The barricading done on NH by the Haryana government to stop us which is wrong. Our demand is with the Government of India and we have no issues with Harayana government. We appeal to the farmers to be patient and stay with the movement. We have called for a ‘Gramin Bharat Bandh’. Farmers should not go to their farms and work tomorrow. A new line of thinking will emerge out of this. Labourers will also go on strike. This will show how many people are participating in the movement," says Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait.

Protesting farmers fighting for nation, just like soldiers do on borders: Rahul Gandhi

Aurangabad: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks at a public meeting during the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', in Aurangabad district. 

Farmers' protest: Haryana govt extends suspension of mobile internet services in 7 districts till February 17

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann arrives at the hotel in Chandigarh for the meeting with farmer leaders

Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Nityanand Rai arrive for meeting with farmer leaders

Restrictions under CrPC section 144, including ban on unauthorised public assemblies in Gautam Buddh Nagar district

The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police on Thursday said restrictions under CrPC section 144, including a ban on unauthorised public assemblies, would be enforced across the district on February 16. The decision has been taken in view of proposed protest marches called by the farmers' body Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and other unions. The Bharatiya Kisan Union, part of SKM, had earlier called for a 'Bharat Bandh' on February 16, citing a host of unmet demands of farmers.

Visuals from inside the meeting between Union Ministers and leaders of protesting farmer unions, underway in Chandigarh