THERE were no signs of farmers' protest in north India calming down soon as leaders of the community geared up for the third round of talks with the Narendra Modi government amid their ongoing 'Delhi Chalo' march towards the national capital. Several thousands of farmers were seen joining the march with tractors and ration for days to push ahead with their agenda.
Some of the ministers of the Modi government, including commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal were set to meet representatives of the protesting farmer unions via video-conferencing on Thursday (15) evening. Arjun Munda, the minister of agriculture and farmers' welfare, was also among the ministers who would meet the protesters.
Earlier meetings between the two sides failed to deliver desired results, prompting the farmers to launch their protest march on Tuesday (13).
A number of federal ministers, including defence minister Rajnath Singh, held talks on Wednesday (14) to address the ongoing protests and related issues, news agency Press Trust of India reported, citing sources. Details of the meetings were yet to be divulged.
Prime minister Narendra Modi was out of the country for a trip of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Meanwhile, some of the protesting farmers' unions called for a nationwide strike on Friday (16), with additional protests planned at toll plazas across the northern state of Punjab on Thursday. They also announced a 'rail roko' (stop trains) programme in the state.
Security forces deployed at the Shambhu border area between Punjab and Haryana states used tear gas to disperse the farmers trying to breach barricades. Some of the protesters threw stones at the security personnel. The government was also accused of using drones to monitor the protests and some of the protesting farmers flew kites to bring down a police drone.
Demonstrations continued despite clashes and injuries reported on the first day of the procession.
Barricades, concrete blocks, iron nails and container walls were put up at key points around Delhi to stall the farmers' march.
The protesters were seeking a legal guarantee for minimum support price for their commodities, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, waiver of debts, among others.
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