Farmers Protest Highlights: High Court issues notices to Haryana, Punjab, Centre on two petitions

Farmers Protest LIVE Updates, Kisan Andolan, Delhi Chalo March: 50% less Diesel, 20 % less Gas dispatched to Punjab

Amid the ongoing farmers' protest leading to chaotic scenes at the Punjab-Haryana border, fifty per cent less diesel and twenty per cent less gas were able to be dispatched to Punjab, government sources told ANI on Tuesday.

The farmers have put forth 12 demands before the central government for which they're marching to Delhi. The protest this time has been called by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, led by farmer union leaders Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher.

According to the protesting farmers, the centre promised them better crop prices, after which they ended the 2021 protest. They are demanding to enact a law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission report.

Due to the ongoing farmer protests, fifty per cent less Diesel and twenty per cent less Gas were able to be dispatched to Punjab: Government sources#FarmersProtest2024 pic.twitter.com/gUgRJcbaIp

— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2024

Farmers Protest LIVE Updates, Kisan Andolan, Delhi Chalo March: High Court issues notices to Haryana, Punjab, Centre on two petitions

The Punjab and Haryana High Court issued notices on Tuesday to the Centre, as well as the states of Haryana and Punjab, in response to two separate petitions concerning the farmers' Delhi Chalo march. One petitioner requested the court to halt all "obstructive" actions by the governments of Haryana and Punjab, as well as the Union government, against the farmers' protest. Meanwhile, the other petitioner urged the court to ensure that no highways are blocked by protesters and that those who do block roads face consequences.

These petitions were presented before a bench comprising Acting Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji. Following the hearing, Additional Solicitor General of India Satya Pal Jain, representing the Centre, informed reporters that the court had issued notices and scheduled the next hearing for February 15. Jain emphasized that the government is open to dialogue with farmer representatives to resolve the matter and stated that the law and order situation falls under the jurisdiction of the states.

Regarding the petitioner from Haryana, Uday Partap Singh, who sought to halt obstructive actions by the governments and authorities, the plea highlighted concerns over the unlawful sealing of the Haryana-Punjab border, particularly at the Shambhu border near Ambala. Singh also pointed out the adverse effects of the Haryana government's actions, such as the suspension of mobile internet services and bulk SMS in various districts, which impede citizens' right to information and communication.

The other petitioner, Arvind Seth, called for directions to ensure that highways and roads are not blocked by protesters. The petition targets the states of Punjab and Haryana, the Centre, and the National Highway Authority of India, aiming to prevent disruptions caused by road blockades.

Farmers Protest LIVE Updates, Kisan Andolan, Delhi Chalo March: Protesting farmers damage barricades at Shambhu border

Protesting farmers on Tuesday damaged multi-layer barricades put up by the police to stop them at the border, by removing cement and barbed wire fencing with tractors.

The farmers were trying to break the barricades in a bid to cross the Shambhu border to enter Haryana from Punjab and head to the national Capital.

 

Farmers Protest LIVE Updates, Kisan Andolan, Delhi Chalo March: Rahul Gandhi announces legal guarantee of MSP as per Swaminathan Commission

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced on Tuesday that the party, if voted to power, will give a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) to every farmer as per Swaminathan Commission.

Historic Day for the Annadatas!

Congress guarantee to ensure Kisan Nyay
to benefit 15 crore farmers! pic.twitter.com/Y1ZVlM7Tr6

— Indian Youth Congress (@IYC) February 13, 2024

Farmers Protest LIVE Updates, Kisan Andolan, Delhi Chalo March: Farmers from Tamil Nadu extend support to Punjab farmers' march

A group of farmers from Tamil Nadu's Trichy on Tuesday extended support to the ongoing 'Delhi Chalo' march of Punjab farmers.

Showing solidarity with the farmers protesting on the Delhi-Haryana border, farmers from Trichy were seen holding human skeletons and lying on the road.
Several farmers were seen climbing a mobile phone tower at Trichy to mark their support.

"As per the Constitution, we can move freely within the country for our rights but the police are not allowing farmers to protest in Delhi," farmer leader P Ayyakannu said.

"If PM Modi contests from any constituency in TN in the coming elections, then farmers will file nomination against him from that constituency," he added.
Meanwhile, Haryana police detained several protesting farmers as they marched towards Delhi on Tuesday.

Farmers Protest LIVE Updates, Kisan Andolan, Delhi Chalo March: Delhi's Tikri border sealed

After the farmers heading to Delhi clashed with police at Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border, the Delhi Police sealed the Tikri border by blocking the movement on both carriageways with five feet long cement blocks with multilayer barricades.

The Delhi Police also closed all the entry and exit points of the nearby streets connecting the highway.

Farmers Protest LIVE Updates, Kisan Andolan, Delhi Chalo March: MSP law cannot be brought in hurry, says Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda 

Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda on Tuesday said a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops cannot be brought in a hurry without consulting all stakeholders and urged the protesting farmer groups to have a structured discussion with the government on the issue. 

Farmers Protest LIVE Updates, Kisan Andolan, Delhi Chalo March: After Shambhu border, farmers face tear gas, water cannons near Haryana's Jind

Farmers marching from Punjab to Delhi faced tear gas shells and water cannons as police tried to stop large groups from entering Haryana through the Khanauri border in Jind district on Tuesday.

Farmers Protest LIVE Updates, Kisan Andolan, Delhi Chalo March: Farmers face tear gas, water cannons near Haryana's Jind

Farmers marching from Punjab to Delhi faced tear gas shells and water cannons as police tried to stop large groups from entering Haryana through the Khanauri border in Jind district on Tuesday.

Farmers Protest LIVE Updates, Kisan Andolan, Delhi Chalo March: Centre denied rights of farmers said Brinda Karat

Senior CPI(M) leader, Brinda Karat, criticized the BJP-led central government on Tuesday, accusing it of neglecting farmers and infringing upon their rights.

Karat's critique coincided with a 'Delhi Chalo' protest by thousands of farmers, who faced barriers preventing them from entering the national capital, effectively turning it into a fortified zone.

According to Karat, "The Narendra Modi administration not only disregards the rights of farmers and laborers but also deceives them. Why does the government oppose legislation guaranteeing minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural produce?"

Karat made these remarks while attending a state committee meeting of the party in Ranchi.

She also expressed dissatisfaction with the delayed announcement of the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, for esteemed agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan.

"Swaminathan advocated for farmers' rights, yet the government has failed to implement his proposed measures," Karat asserted.

Furthermore, Karat alleged that farmers nationwide view the prime minister's assurances as "deceptive and insincere."

She added, "Farmers across India will stage a 'Gramin Bandh' on February 16. This marks a significant struggle for the working class."

Farmers Protest LIVE Updates, Kisan Andolan, Delhi Chalo March: Red Fort closed for visitors

Delhi's Red Fort closed for visitors, says senior ASI official as security beefed up in view of farmers' protest.

VIDEO | Farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march: Police use teargas shells to disperse protesting farmers at Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/CDQyEkrdlb

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 13, 2024

Farmers Protest LIVE Updates, Kisan Andolan, Delhi Chalo March: Haryana Police fires teargas shells

Haryana Police deployed tear gas shells to disperse farmers attempting to breach barricades erected at the state's border with Punjab near Shambhu, close to Ambala. The farmers, rallying for legislation on minimum support price, were marching towards Delhi.

Official sources reported the detention of several farmers near the Shambhu border.

As part of the 'Chalo Delhi' protest march, a group of youths associated with the farmers' movement attempted to dismantle barricades at the Shambhu border in Ambala, prompting the Haryana Police to employ tear gas shells, officials stated.

Following the youths' efforts to remove an iron barricade and toss it from the Ghaggar river bridge, law enforcement officers fired multiple rounds of tear gas shells. Subsequently, a drone was utilized to release an additional tear gas shell. 

VIDEO | Farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march: Police use teargas shells to disperse protesting farmers at Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/CDQyEkrdlb

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 13, 2024

Farmers Protest LIVE Updates, Kisan Andolan, Delhi Chalo March: NCR commuters face traffic snarls 

Traffic crawled at a snail's pace in Delhi-NCR on Tuesday morning as police placed multiple layers of barricades on Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders in view of the farmers' march to the national capital.

Farmers Protest LIVE Updates, Kisan Andolan, Delhi Chalo March: Kharge attacks Modi govt for curbing voice of farmers 

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday accused the Modi government of crushing the voice of farmers after failing to fulfil the promises made to them over 10 years. Kharge's attack against the government came on a day thousands of farmers called for a Delhi Chalo protest and the capital became a virtual fortress with authorities stopping them entering the city. "Barbed wire, teargas from drones, nails and guns... Everything is arranged.

Farmers Protest LIVE Updates, Kisan Andolan, Delhi Chalo March: Delhi govt rejects request to convert Bawana stadium into makeshift jail 

Delhi govt rejects Centre's request to convert Bawana stadium into makeshift jail in view of farmers' march, say sources.