WATCH: Farmers block road in Kurukshetra as they gather for mahapanchayat demanding MSP on sunflower seed

Farmers on Monday blocked a road in Kurukshetra’s Pipli as they gathered to attend a mahapanchyat being held to press for minimum support price for sunflower seed and other demands.

#WATCH | Haryana: Farmers block a road in Kurukshetra as they gather here to hold Mahapanchyat over their demand for Minimum Support Price. pic.twitter.com/W6LyWhG1bq

— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2023

Apart from leaders of various khaps and Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait, Olympic medal-winning wrestler Bajrang Punia, one of the grapplers who have been demanding action against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, were present at the mahapanchayat.

#WATCH | We have come here to support the farmers. Even we come from farmer families. We will stand with the farmers who are standing on the roads. We have supported farmers even during the farmers' protest and we will keep supporting them: Wrestler Bajrang Punia at Kisan… pic.twitter.com/EDCixiYHuU

— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2023

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“We have come here to support the farmers. Even we come from farmer families. We will stand with the farmers who are standing on the roads. We have supported farmers even during the farmers’ protest and we will keep supporting them,” said the wrestler. The “MSP Dilao, Kisan Bachao mahapanchayat” called by Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) was being held at a grain market in Pipli close to National Highway-44 which was blocked by farmers a few days ago demanding that the government procure sunflower seed at the MSP. Farmers led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni had 6 June blocked the national highway near Shahabad for over six hours demanding that the government procure sunflower seeds at minimum support price (MSP). Police used water cannons and resorted to lathicharge to disperse the protesters. Later, nine BKU (Charuni) leaders, including its president, were arrested over various charges, including rioting and unlawful assembly. Addressing the mahapanchayat, some farm leaders criticised the government for its “anti-farmers” policies and police actions against their leaders. They demanded that the government procure sunflower seeds at MSP and that the protesters arrested in Shahabad recently be released. Elaborate police arrangements have been made to prevent any untoward incident. BKU leaders held a meeting with senior police officials on Sunday night to ensure that the mahapanchayat is held smoothly. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had on Saturday released Rs 29.13 crore as interim compensation to 8,528 farmers for sunflowers grown on 36,414 acres. The farmers are demanding that the state government procure sunflowers at an MSP of Rs 6,400 per quintal. Under Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana - price difference payment scheme - the state government is giving Rs 1,000 per quintal as interim support for sunflower crop sold below MSP. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.