Farmers' protest Updates: Tomar pitches for talks with 'genuine unions'; groups to pay tribute to 20 dead farmers on 20 Dec

Farmers’ protest LATEST Updates

MSP will continue as it is, says Narendra Singh Tomar

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the farm sector Acts have been welcomed in various states across the country but the Centre is willing to continue its talks with “genuine farm unions” to find a solution with an open mind. He also said that the Minimum Support Price (MSP), at which the government commits to procure the produce from farmers, is an administrative decision and it “will continue as it is”.

PTI

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BJP govt ‘defaming’ farmers: Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that instead of listening to farmers, the BJP government was “defaming” their protests against the Centre’s new agri laws.  Yadav alleged that the BJP only misleads people. “Disagreement has become a major crime in the BJP regime. They did not like opposition and democratic values. The farmers are agitating for the past 20 days and instead of listening to them, the government has adopted a stubborn attitude. Not only this, but the BJP has also launched a campaign to divide farmers and discredit the movement and defame it,” the former chief minister said in a statement.

He said the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh was ahead in supporting the “anti-farmer” farm laws. “Hailstorms, unseasonal rain that damaged crops of farmers were not compensated. Dues of sugarcane farmers are still unpaid and loan of farmers are not waived. Now the BJP government is engaged in making farmer- a labourer instead of the farm owner,” Yadav claimed.

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Homage Day to be observed on 20 December, say farmers’ leaders

During a press briefing earlier, farmers’ leaders called upon people to pay tributes on 20 December to those farmers who have lost their lives during the ongoing protests. According to the Times of India, farmers leaders said around 20 farmers have died during protest so far. Farmer leader Rishipal said that one farmer has died every day on an average since the protest started in the last week of November. “A Homage Day (Shraddhanjali Diwas) for all the farmers who lost their lives and became martyrs in the ongoing protest will be organised across the country in villages and tehsil headquarters on 20 December from 11 am to 1pm,” said another farmer leader.

PTI

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Jaipur-Delhi highway continues to be blocked

The Jaipur-Delhi national highway in Rajasthan’s Alwar district remained partially blocked on Tuesday as the farmers’ protest against the Centre’s new farm laws entered the third day. The farmers were led by Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav, CPIM legislator Balwan Poonia and former legislator Amra Ram.

“We do not know why Haryana Police and government are stopping us. We are not demanding anything from them. This act of Haryana government is undemocratic,”  Yadav told reporters. Haryana Police has barricaded the entry on its border, preventing farmers to march towards Delhi. The farmers are squatting on the border to press for their demand to repeal the three farms laws.  Kisan Panchayat national president Rampal Chaudhary is also camping in Shahjahanpur demanding the withdrawal of the farm laws.

PTI

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Northern Railways incur Rs 2,000 to 2,400 cr loss due to farm protests

Ashutosh Gangal, General Manager of Northern Railway, tells ANI that they’ve incurred losses of roughly around Rs 2,000-2,400 crores due to the farmer’s protest.

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Farmers threaten to completely block Delhi-Noida border tomorrow

Addressing a press conference at Singhu Border, farmer leaders said the fight over the new farm laws has reached a stage where they are “determined to win it no matter what”. The farmers also threatened to completely block Delhi-Noida tomorrow, as per The Indian Express.

“We are not running away from negotiation, but govt has to pay heed to our demands and come forward with concrete proposals,” PTI quoted farmer leaders as saying.

“Government is saying they won’t repeal these laws, we are saying we will make you do it,” farmer leader Jagjeet Dallewal said.

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Maharashtra speaker asks PM to scrap farm laws, threatens protest

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Nana Patole has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding that the new farm laws introduced by the Centre be scrapped “without delay”, reports PTI.

In the letter written on 9 December, Patole said farmers are protesting against the new laws to protect their rights and self-respect. “I urge you to withdraw the laws without delay,” he wrote.

Patole said he would be forced to join the farmers’ protests currently underway, despite being on a Constitutional post, if there was any further delay in repealing these laws.

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Tomar meets BKU leaders at Krishi Bhawan

Members of Bharatiya Kisan Union meet Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi

Delhi: Members of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kisan) meets Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar at Krishi Bhawan. pic.twitter.com/HE92ASaExH

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020

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Repeal, re-enact: Chidambaram’s advice to govt on farm laws

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Tuesday asked the government to repeal the new agri laws, which have sparked protest by farmers, and bring in a fresh bill after reaching an agreement with the agitating peasants.

The farmers’ agitation against the three agriculture laws has reached almost a month, with many of them sitting in the cold and blocking traffic on the national highways around Delhi.

“Government should climb down from its high horse and reach an agreement with the farmers quickly,” Chidambaram said on Twitter.

“The simple way forward is to Repeal the present laws and Re-enact a new law based on the agreement. Repeal and Re-enactment is a well-known legislative tool,” he also said.

The simple way forward is to Repeal the present laws and
Re-enact a new law based on the agreement

Repeal and Re-enactment is a well known legislative tool

Government should climb down from its high horse and reach an agreement with the farmers quickly

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 15, 2020

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Opposition gang-up on farm laws due to BJP’s electoral wins: UP Minister

Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Minister Mukut Bihari Verma on Monday said the opposition parties have joined together in the protest against the three central farm laws because they have become frustrated due to the results of all recent elections in favour of the BJP.

The opposition along with some farmers’ leaders have realised that their survival would be at stake if they do not agitate against the BJP on one or the other pretext.

“Those who are protesting should be asked what is wrong with the farm laws. They are not ready to tell it because they do not know about these laws. If they are asked to talk, they are not ready. They are united because they are disappointed seeing the results of all the recent elections in favour of the BJP,” Verma told reporters.

“The farmers are busy in their fields and those doing the agitation are opposition parties and some farmers’ leaders, who have realised that if they do not agitate together, they will not survive, the minister said.The farm laws are definitely in the interest of farmers,” he asserted, adding that there is nothing in these laws which is against the farmers’ interests.

-PTI

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Opposition misleading farmers as part of conspiracy: PM Modi

Farmers gathered near Delhi are being misled as part of a conspiracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday. Speaking after laying foundation stones for some development projects in his home state Gujarat, Modi also said his government is addressing farmers’ concerns over the new agri laws.

“Farmers gathered near Delhi are being misled as part of a conspiracy. Farmers are told that their land will be grabbed by others if new farm reforms get implemented. I want to ask you, did the dairy owner take your cattle because you are selling milk to him,” the prime minister said.

“Opposition parties, when they were in power, were in favour of these farm sector reforms, but did not take any decision back then. Now when the country has decided to embrace these reforms, these people are spreading falsehood and misleading farmers. I want to reiterate that my government is ready 24 hours to resolve all your doubts,” Modi said.

Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and elsewhere have been protesting near various border points of Delhi including Singhu and Tikri for over a fortnight demanding the Centre repeal three new farm laws.

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My statement on farm protests ‘misinterpreted’: Raosaheb Danve

Union minister Raosaheb Danve on Tuesday claimed his controversial statement made in context of the ongoing farmer protests was “misinterpreted” and asserted he can not make any derogatory remarks against cultivators as he himself hails from the farming community.

The BJP leader faced attack from various quarters after he sought to link Pakistan and China to the protests by farmers who are demanding scrapping of the Centre’s new agri- marketing laws.

“I am a true farmer and no one, including myself, can say anything critical against farmers of this country. Earlier the media had shown me driving a bullock cart and feeding fodder to cattle.

“My statement was misinterpreted for sake of news,” he said at a press conference here when asked about his remark that the two neighbouring countries were behind the protests.

The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs said the three new farm laws passed by Parliament in September were in the interest of cultivators.

-PTI

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4 farmers returning from protest sites near Delhi killed in two separate accidents

Four Punjab farmers returning from protest sites near Delhi borders were killed in two separate road accidents on Tuesday, reports PTI.

In the first incident, two farmers belonging to Patiala were killed in an early morning accident after their tractor-trolley was hit by a truck in Haryana’s Karnal district, police said.

In the accident, which took place on Taraori flyover in Karnal, a third farmer was seriously wounded while some others sitting on the trolley escaped with minor injuries. Taraori police station’s SHO Inspector Sachin said the two deceased were aged around 24 years and 50 years respectively.

In another road mishap, two more Punjab farmers died while seven others injured when their vehicle collided with a truck near Bhagomajra in Mohali on Tuesday, officials said.

Deceased Deep Singh was a resident of Mohali district while Sukhdev Singh Dadiana was a native of Fatehgarh Sahib district.

Out of the injured farmers, four, who were wounded seriously, have been referred to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research and a government hospital in Chandigarh, said officials. Three others were admitted to a hospital in Mohali, they said.

Farmers’ protest LATEST Updates

Opposition to agri laws politically-motivated: Devendra Fadnavis

Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday told the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly that three agri laws passed by the Centre were being opposed for political reasons and claimed that farm sector reforms had been initiated when the Congress-led UPA was in power.

Speaking in the Lower House, the Leader of Opposition also said that handling of cases against Republic TV’s editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and actress Kangana Ranaut “showed the state government’s arrogance of power”.

“…Those who violate the rule of the land can be dealt with the existing laws,” he said during a debate on supplementary demands.

Fadnavis said the erstwhile UPA regime was of the view that there should be freedom to farmers to sell their products anywhere they want, a key feature of the recently-passed agri laws.

“In the year 2010, a committee comprising ministers from all states was set up regarding the implementation of agriculture reforms with a view that farmers should have a competitive and alternative marketing mechanism at their disposal,” the former chief minister said.

-PTI

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BJP is real ‘Tukde Tukde Gang’, says Sukhbir Badal

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal has called former ally BJP as the real ’tukde tukde gang’ which is trying to push patriotic Punjab into communal flames. “BJP is the real ‘Tukde Tukde Gang’ in the country.

“It has smashed national unity to pieces, shamelessly inciting Hindus against Muslims and now desperate setting peace loving Punjabi Hindus against their Sikh brethren espescially farmers. They’re pushing patriotic Punjab into communal flames,” he said in a tweet.

BJP is the real #TukdeTukdeGang in the country. It has smashed national unity to pieces,shamelessly inciting Hindus against Muslims & now desperate setting peace loving Punjabi Hindus against their Sikh brethren esp #farmers. They're pushing patriotic Punjab into communal flames. pic.twitter.com/7adwVmoDgj

— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) December 15, 2020

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Conspiracy in Delhi to confuse farmers, says PM

Narendra Modi in Kutch said: “A conspiracy is going on around Delhi to confuse farmers. They are being scared that after the new agri reforms the land of farmers will be occupied by others. Tell me, if a dairy has a contract of collecting milk from you, do they take away your cattle too?”

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PM says new reforms exactly what farmers’ bodies and the Opposition parties wanted

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the agriculture reforms are exactly what the farmers’ bodies and the opposition parties wanted, reports ANI. He adds that the Centre is committed to the welfare of the farmers and will keep assuring them and addressing their concerns, reports ANI.

As per News18, the prime minister said that there is a big conspiracy going on around Delhi to confuse the farmers. “They are being scared that after new agrarian reforms, others will occupy the land of the farmers.”

He also said that people who are sitting in the Opposition and misleading farmers today were in the favour of these farm reforms during their govt. “They could not make a decision during their govt. Today when the nation has taken a historical step then these people are misleading farmers,” he said.

The agriculture reforms that have taken place are exactly what farmer bodies and even Opposition have been asking over the years. Government of India is always committed to farmer welfare & we will keep assuring the farmers and addressing their concerns: PM Narendra Modi in Kutch pic.twitter.com/CdzSqFq4NI

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020

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Minimal govt involvement reason for flourishing agri trade in Gujarat, says PM 

Addressing an event at Kutch in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the trade of agricultural produce and dairy products is flourishing in Gujarat because government involvement is minimal, reports The Indian Express.

“Today, farmers, fishermen, and cattle-breeders are better off. Farmers here have adopted high-value crops like dates, dragon fruits and are exporting them,” the PM said.

“Today, the trade of agricultural produce and dairy products is flourishing in Gujarat because government involvement is minimal. The government provided some basic facilities and the rest is being taken care of by the cooperative sector, farmers, etc.”

He also said: “Over the last twenty years, Gujarat introduced many farmer-friendly schemes. Gujarat was among the earliest to work on strengthening solar energy capacities.”

Over the last twenty years, Gujarat introduced many farmer-friendly schemes. Gujarat was among the earliest to work on strengthening solar energy capacities: PM Narendra Modi in Kutch, Gujarat pic.twitter.com/mz5dvUBdhE

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020

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PM Modi arrives in Kutch; expected to interact with farmers

Even as protests against three farm laws continue on Delhi borders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday is expected to interact with farmers in Kutch, including those from Punjab, during his visit to the border district. While the farmers — who have been protesting for 20 days now — want the three legislations to be scrapped, the government said that it is willing to continue talks but won’t take back the laws.

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Union minister questions Punjab CM for opposing private companies from entering contract with farmers

Union Animal Husbandry Minister Giriraj Singh questions Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on not opposing private companies engaged in contract farming with potato producers, reports ANI.

“I would like to ask Punjab CM that isn’t private companies making contracts with farmers to grow potatoes?” said Singh. “Did they usurp their land? Why didn’t you oppose this?”

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‘Khaps’ of UP’s Muzaffarnagar to reach Delhi on 17 Dec to support farmers

A number of “khaps” in UP’s Muzaffarnagar have extended support to the farmers’ agitation against the Centre’s new agri laws and will join the ongoing protests at Delhi’s border points on 17 December, reports PTI.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the chiefs of “khaps” (caste councils) held on Monday at Shoram village in the Shahpur police station area here, Subhash Balyan, secretary of All Khap council, said.

The “khap” chiefs termed the Centre’s three new agri marketing laws “anti-farmer” and called for their repeal, he said, adding that they have decided to reach Delhi on December 17 to support the agitation.

Balyan Khap head and Bhartiya Kisan Union national president Naresh Tikait, Latyan Khap head Bijender Singh, Desh Khap head Sharanvir Singh, Ahlavat Khap head Gajendra Singh, Nirval Khap head Rajvir Mundet, Kundu Khap head Choudhry Upendra Kundu and Benival Khap head Amit Benival were among those who attended the meeting, Subhash Balyan said.

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Protest will continue till farmers are heard by Centre, says Congress MP

Protesting at Jantar Mantar, JS Gill, Congress MP from Khadoor Sahib, Punjab, said that his agitation will continue till the farmers are heard by the Centre.

“Farmers are protesting peacefully. The government wants to divide them. The country’’s farmers are stand united today. The government is supporting capitalists instead of solving farmers issues. We’’ll continue our protest till the farmers are heard,” Gill told ANI.

I have information that Adani & Ambani groups registered 53 new agro-based companies in the last few months. We'll continue our protest till the farmers are not heard: JS Gill, Congress MP from Khadoor Sahib, Punjab, protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar in support of farmers pic.twitter.com/FviFVulceG

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020

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Don’t ‘blindly oppose’ new farm laws, says MoS Kishan Reddy

Farmers and political parties should not ‘blindly oppose’ the farm laws or demand their repeal, but study them in detail as the Centre was ready to address their concerns, Union Minister of State Kishan Reddy said, as per MoneyControl. The laws brought out by the Centre are in the public domain and farmers could seek clarifications from anyone, including himself, at any time, he said.

“We made a beginning for the revolutionary change that has been sought for decades in the agriculture sector. I urge political parties, except Punjab…farmers are not opposing. But don’t oppose blindly. Don’t oppose the laws out of political animosity towards BJP or Modi. See the laws. I request political parties also.
We in the Modi government will clarify any issues in the laws that are are troubling you. If necessary, we are ready to change them. But seeking repeal of legislation is not a good tradition,” he said. Stating that the government is willing to make changes in the laws, he said it was ready to give legal status to MSP.

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ALKSC ready to talk with Centre but with ‘certain condition’, says report

 All India Kisan Sangharsh Committee on Tuesday that it is ready for talks with the Centre again but with certain conditions, Hindustan Times reports.

“The government [is] repeatedly dishing out old rejected logic,” All India Kisan Sangharsh Committee Secretary Avik Saha says. “Farmers are ready for talks, but the three Farm Acts and the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 have to be withdrawn.”

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Protests resulting in daily loss of Rs 3,500 crores: ASSOCHAM

Calling for an early resolution of farmers’ issues, ASSOCHAM said the agitation is resulting in a daily loss of Rs 3,500 crore.

The association said the size of the combined economies of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir is about Rs 18 lakh crore. With the ongoing farmers’ agitation and blockade of roads, toll plazas and railways, the economic activities have come to a halt. “Industries such as textiles, auto components, bicycles, sports goods which cater significantly to the export markets would not be able to fulfil their orders, ahead of Christmas, harming our goodwill amongst the global buyers,” ASSOCHAM President, Dr Niranjan Hiranandani said.

A daily loss of Rs 3,000-3500 crore is resulting in the economies of the region from the value chain and transport disruption because of the protests, according to ASSOCHAM rough estimates.

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Agitation likely to impact economy recovery post COVID: CII

The farmers’ protest has led to supply chain disruptions, which will impact the economy in the coming days and may impinge upon the ongoing recovery from the economic contraction due to COVID-19, industry body CII said. “Given the challenge to get the economy back on the growth trajectory, Confederation of Indian Industry urges all the stakeholders to urgently seek ways to end the ongoing protests and reach an amicable solution, in the interest of industry and economy,” the CII said.

The farmers’ protest, which has intensified over the past couple of weeks, has led to obstruction of traffic and road blockades across multiple checkpoints in the northern states of Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, and in smaller measure in many other states. The already broken supply-chain which was recovering post the pandemic-induced lockdown has come under severe stress, CII stated.

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Farmers’ movement being hijacked by anti-national forces: Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the farmers’ movement now seems to pursue the “cause of tukde tukde gang”, adding that those who want to create unrest, anarchy and division in this country are now trying to misguide the farmers. “We are in a democratic system and dialogue is the biggest tool in democracy. We appeal to protesting farmers to be open for dialogue. The government is responsive,” he said.

Adityanath went on to say that the farmers’ movement is being hijacked by anti-national forces. “Anarchy in backdrop of farmer protest can’t be accepted. What is the relevance of posters of Umar Khalid and others in the protests?” he asked.

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Two Punjab farmers returning from Delhi protest killed in road accident

Two Punjab farmers who were returning to Patiala from a protest site near Delhi’s borders were killed in an early morning accident on Tuesday after their tractor trolley was hit by a truck in Haryana’s Karnal district, police said. Another farmer has received injuries in the incident which took place on Taraori flyover, they said, adding a few more on the trolley escaped with minor injuries.

Taraori police station’s SHO Inspector Sachin said the deceased were aged around 24 years and 50 years.

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Was produce from Narendra Singh Tomar’s farm sold at MSP, asks farmers’ leader

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, currently a part of the agitation at the Ghazipur border, said Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar is also a farmer and inquired the rate at which his farm’s produce was sold. “Was it sold at MSP? Did he suffer loss or earned profit? The government should visit villages and hold meetings, he said.

Meanwhile, JS Gill, Congress MP from Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib who is present at a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in support of farmers, said he has information that Adani and Ambani groups registered 53 new agro-based companies in the last few months. and vowed to continue the protest till the farmers are not heard.

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Police deploys multi-layer security at Singhu border

Multi-layered cemented barriers, additional police force and barbed wires formed the first layer of security at the Singhu border protest site.

The second layer of barricades deployed by the Delhi Police is being guarded by a team of Rapid Action Force along with personnel from the paramilitary forces.

Water cannons, trucks, containers and iron barricades have also been deployed.

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Delhi Police advises alternate routes as some borders remain closed

Police said Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, Sabholi and Mangesh borders were closed, and commuters have been advised to take alternative routes via Lampur, Safiabad and Singhu school toll tax borders while traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK road.

Outer Ring Road, GTK road and NH-44 can be avoided, they said.

The Ghazipur border also remains closed for traffic coming from Ghaziabad to Delhi due to the protest. Commuters have been advised to take other routes via Anand Vihar, DND, Chilla, Apsara and Bhopra borders.

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Over 2,000 women likely to join protest at Singhu border

The protest against the Centre’s new farm laws looks set to intensify further as more farmers are expected to join the ongoing agitation at Delhi’s border points to press for their demands, PTI reported. Over 2,000 women from the families of those protesting at the Singhu border here are likely to join the demonstration in the coming days.

Farmer leaders said they were making arrangements for the women coming from different parts of Punjab. Tents are being put up, a separate langar is being planned, and extra temporary toilets are being arranged, they added.

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AIMTC urges govt to ensure smooth movement of traffic on highways

Transporters’ apex body All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has urged the government to ensure smooth movement of traffic on the national highways. AIMTC said transport movements were being disrupted due to diversions created by the police on account of farmers’ agitation. AIMTC, representing about 95 lakh truckers and other entities, had announced support to farmers’ agitation.

“About 8,000 to 10,000 trucks traversing from various parts of the country carrying perishable fruits and vegetables, essential goods, other commodities and cargo worth crores of rupees are stranded leading to losses of crores of rupees,” AIMTC said in a statement.

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AAP, SP claim Noida Police not allowing them to protest

Some members of the Aam Aadmi Party and the Samajwadi Party have alleged that they were prevented by police from carrying out demonstrations in support of farmers protesting the Centre’s new farm reform laws, MoneyControl reported. However, police officials said the action was taken to ensure compliance of CrPC Section 144, which bars gathering of more than four people, and regulations imposed due to the pandemic.

AAP spokesperson Sanjeev Nigam alleged that his party’s district unit president Bhupendra Jadaun was put under house arrest at his home in Noida. Jadaun was not allowed to leave his house. The party had planned a peaceful programme today to lend support to the farmers who are protesting against the Centre, Nigam said. Samajwadi Party local leader Raghvendra Dubey said some functionaries of the party’s youth wing were not allowed by the police to go to the Noida city magistrate’s office to submit a memorandum in support of the protesting farmers.

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Protest at Ghazipur border enters Day 18

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For Modi govt, protesting farmers are Khalistani: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at the BJP government over the farmers’ protest on Tuesday after several party leaders claimed that “Khalistani elements” had penetrated the movement.

Responding to this, Rahul said, “For Modi Govt: Dissenting students are anti-nationals. Concerned citizens are urban naxals. Migrant labourers are COVID-19 carriers. Rape victims are nobody. Protesting farmers are Khalistani. And Crony capitalists are best friends.”

For Modi Govt:

Dissenting students are anti-nationals.
Concerned citizens are urban naxals.
Migrant labourers are Covid carriers.
Rape victims are nobody.
Protesting farmers are Khalistani.

And
Crony capitalists are best friends.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 15, 2020

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Farm laws to be discussed clause by clause: Narendra Singh Tomar

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday said that the Centre was ready to discuss the three contentious farm laws “clause by clause” with the protesting farmers.

“We are ready to discuss clause by clause with farmers. We have sent our written proposal to farmers and we are waiting for their response for the next round of talks. These three bills are for the welfare of the farmers,” said Tomar.

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UK minister urged to intervene as protests show support for Indian farmers

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has been urged to raise human rights concerns related to the protests by farmers in India in talks with his Indian counterparts during a scheduled visit to New Delhi this week, following a weekend of demonstrations held in solidarity in different parts of the UK.

Liberal Democrat party leader Ed Davey said that while the agricultural reform policies are a matter of Indian domestic politics, the use of “militarised police” against the protesters was of some concern.

– PTI

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Agitation at Singhu border enters Day 20

Farmers' protest against Centre's three farm laws continues for the 20th day at Singhu border with Delhi pic.twitter.com/7gZFUNsJ5x

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020