'Delhi Chalo' Updates: Farmer Leaders Announce Temporary Ceasefire After A Day Of Clashes With Police

Sarwan Singh Pandher, General Secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, told the media that "this is a dark day in Indian history." 

"Tear gas was used against the farmers."

“We are installing speakers here and will resume our program tomorrow morning,” he added.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a minimum support price for crops, condemning the government's response to the farmers' 'Dilli Chalo' march, and accusing the government of attempting to "project" division among farmer bodies, according to news agency PTI.

It invited all farmer associations to band together and participate in the Gramin Bharat Bandh, which the central trade unions had called for on February 16.

The statement comes on a day when the 'Delhi Chalo' agitation, led by SKM splinter group Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, was met with tear gas shells near Ambala, and Jind protesters attempted to break through police barricades set up by the Haryana Police to prevent them from reaching the national capital.

Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal addressed the media on the farmers' protest. 

"These are not any new demands, they are the commitments made by the governments,” Jagjit Singh said.

“We tried to remind the government about them, but they did not show any seriousness. When we demand MSP law, their reaction is different; when we talk about loan waiver and Swaminathan report, they don't agree," he added.

Farmer leaders announced a temporary ceasefire for the evening, postponing further discussions until tomorrow morning.

“Around 60 of our men have sustained injuries. The government is provoking us by attacking us with tear gas shells and rubber bullets,” they claimed while addressing the media, according to the Indian Express.

On the ongoing farmers’ protest ‘Delhi Chalo’ in the national capital, Union Minister Anurag Thakur told news agency PTI that the Modi government has been in favour of farmers right from day one.

"We brought many schemes for them. The talks are failing because new demands are being added every day," the minister said. 

“We are ready to sit and talk. Violence and stone-pelting are not the solutions; only peace can bring a solution.”

Amid the farmers' protest in North India, Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi said if Congress comes to power, it will give legal guarantees for a minimum support price (MSP) as per the Swaminathan Commission. 

"Farmer brothers, today is a historic day!" Rahul wrote on X.

"Congress has decided to give legal guarantee of MSP to every farmer on crops as per Swaminathan Commission. This step will change the lives of 15 crore farmer families by ensuring their prosperity," Gandhi added.

"This is the first guarantee of Congress on the path of justice."

Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda 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.

In an interview with news agency PTI, Mr. Munda said, “Regarding MSP, we have to see what kind of law they (farmers) are seeking, and what the pros and cons will be. We at the government see things in a positive way, but we can come to a conclusion after considering everyone's interests."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her views on the farmers' protest, stating, "How can our country progress when farmers are attacked with tear gas shells for fighting for their basic rights?" 

“I strongly condemn the brutal assault on our farmers by the BJP. The Central Govt.'s failure to support farmers and labourers, coupled with futile PR stunts, exposes the illusion of 'Viksit Bharat', Mamata said. 

"Instead of suppressing their protest, BJP must focus on humbling their inflated egos, power-hungry ambitions, and inadequate governance that has harmed our nation."

“Remember, it's these farmers who sustain us all, including the high and mighty. Let's stand in solidarity with our farmers against the government's brutality,” West Bengal Chief Minister wrote on X with #IStandByOurFarme

Special Commissioner of Police (CP) Ajay Chaudhary told PTI that adequate security arrangements have been made to avoid any sort of violence.

"We are trying to make sure that no one faces inconvenience,” Ajay Chaudhary said after reviewing security preparations at Delhi's Ghazipur border.  

He refrained from commenting on the violence at Shambhu Border, where farmers broke barricades and police responded with tear gas.

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij commented on the farmers' protest, saying farmers wanted to talk to the central government, but officials from the central government had already come to talk. "Talks have been held twice and they (Government) are not denying having further talks with them," he said.

“Why do they want to go to Delhi?” 

"It seems that they have some other motive. We will not let peace be disturbed. They should withdraw their call," the Haryana Home Minister added.

In 2020, farmers from the North Indian states, including Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, protested against three new farm laws passed by the government. The farmers feared that the laws aimed to reform the agricultural sector but were viewed by many farmers as unfair and threatening their livelihoods.

The laws weakened the existing system of government-regulated wholesale markets (mandis), lacked legal guarantees for Minimum Support Price (MSP), and allowed for more flexible contract farming agreements.

The protesting farmers demanded the repeal of these laws and the enactment of a law mandating MSP for all crops to ensure fair prices. They also sought exemption from rising electricity bills, which added to their financial strain.

After nearly a year of protests, the government finally agreed to repeal the laws in November 2021 and accepted most of the farmers' demands, in what was celebrated as a huge victory for the farmers.

Two years on, farmer unions argue that the government has failed to deliver on its promise to legally ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP).

On the ongoing farmers' protest, Haryana AAP President Dr. Sushil Gupta told news agency PTI that farmers had given notice to the (Haryana) government for this peaceful protest long ago. 

“Not only water cannons and tear gas shells were used, rubber bullets were also fired (on protesting farmers),” he said. 

 “Such security arrangement, on the Punjab-Haryana border and the Delhi-Haryana border is not there even on the India-Pakistan border," Sushil Gupta added.

Massive traffic jams were seen at the Ghazipur border today. The Delhi borders have been closed as the farmers began their march towards Delhi. 

Photos By Suresh K Pandey/Outlook India 

After the Shambhu border, Punjab farmers clashed with Haryana police at the Jind border, the news agency PTI reported.

They were confronted with tear gas and water cannons.

Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said, “Around 10,000 people are here at the Shambhu border. The farmers are maintaining a peaceful situation here, and tear gas is being used against us through drones.” 

He added, “The protest will continue until the government agrees to our demands.”

According to a senior Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), The historic Red Fort complex has been temporarily closed for visitors due to security reasons, a senior ASI official said Tuesday, amid a massive deployment of police and paramilitary forces in central Delhi in view of the farmers' march.

Haryana Police detainedmany of the protestors at Shambu border as chaos erupts in the middle of the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march.

Amid rounds of tear gas fired by police, the protesting farmers dispersed and entered farmland at Shambhu on the Punjab-Haryana border.

On the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest, IG, Ambala Range Sibash Kabiraj said "We welcome the farmers coming from Punjab but if they travel on tractors it will create problems for the people. They can travel on buses, trains or on foot. If they come on tractors, we will not allow them. Section 144 has also been imposed."

Extending support towards the thousands of farmers protesting for MSP, veteran Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath today said,"...70% of the economy of Madhya Pradesh is agriculture-based. Farmers generate financial activities...If farmers don't get MSP - this is an injustice that has been done to them continuously. Their minimum demand is that of MSP. It is very essential."

At a press conference in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, Congress' General Secretary said, "The (farmers') unions are demanding the fulfilment of the promises made to them (by the central government). Rahul Gandhi met with farmers' unions and discussed MSP, waiver on loans and PM Fasal Bima Yojana. Today, February 13, is the day for farmers' justice."

While distancing himself from the 'Delhi Chalo' march, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait, said, "This march has been called by (farmers') union but farmers from across the nation are with them in case of any injustice. They are coming to put their stance and the government should listen to them. All of them have the same demands of waiver on loans, enforcement of Swaminathan Commission Report and law for MSP."

Security has been beefed up at the iconic Red Fort in Delhi where, in 2021, a huge group of farmers had deviated to from their Republic Day tractor parade on January 26.

As farmers have begun their march to Delhi, primarily from Punjab and via Haryana, security measures have been tightened in and around the Red Fort in Delhi to avoid a repeat of 2021 tractor protest.

Taking note of the massive traffic jams across the NCR due to the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud on Tuesday said he will accommodate lawyers if they are stuck in traffic.

If anyone has a problem due to the traffic situation, "we will adjust,” a bench comprising the CJI and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra told lawyers at the outset of the day’s proceedings.

Police fired tear gas to disperse farmers demanding a law guaranteeing MSP for crops at Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border.

Farmers continue 'Delhi Chalo' march on Ambala highway, onward to Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border

Commenting on the ongoing farmers' protest, Union Minister Arjun Munda said, "There will be a need for consultation. We need to discuss this with the states... We need to prepare a forum for discussions and find a solution. The Govt of India is bound to protect the interests of the farmers...inconvenience should not be caused to the public. The farmers' union need to understand this."

Beefed-up police presence and heavy barricading can be seen on the two carriageways at Shambhu, Punjab-Haryana border as farmers from Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab have started their 'Delhi Chalo' protest march.

Farmers begin their 'Delhi Chalo' march from Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab.

Owing to security concerns, entry and exit from gate no. 1,3 and 4 of Delhi's Udyog Bhavan metro station have been closed while Gate 2 of the Central Secretariat Metro Station will remain closed till evening.

"We tried to find a solution so that we do not have to stand against the Govt. We were expecting that we would be given something. In the 5-hour-long meeting yesterday, we put forward the situation of Haryana...The people of Punjab and Haryana are being tortured. It seems that both these states are not a part of India anymore, they are being treated as International border", said Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher.

Vehicular traffic has been significantly disrupted in the national capital today ahead of the protest march.Several videos on social media showed vehicles stuck in jam at Delhi-Gurugram border due to the restriction of traffic movement along the borders.

Supreme Court Bar Association president Adish Aggarwala wrote to CJI DY Chandrachud seeking suo motu action against the farmers for trying to enter Delhi alleging to create a nuisance.

As per reports, he also requested CJI to issue directions to courts to not pass any adverse order due to the non-presence of lawyers before the courts.

Ahead of the march, farmer leader Lakhwinder Singh said, "...The people are ready and the meeting is also happening...We don't wish to cause inconvenience to the common man...As soon as we get the direction after the meeting, we will march forward."

With concrete barricades and tyre-killers (spikes) installed, security measures have been tightened at the Ghazipur border, the key entry point to Delhi.

Right ahead of the 'Delhi Chalo' march, Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher is holding a meeting with farmer unions in Fatehgarh Sahib.

After a five-hour meeting with the Centre on Monday, Sarwan Singh Panhder, general secretary of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, said, "We do not think the government is serious about any of our demands. We do not think they want to fulfil our demands. Tomorrow, we will march towards Delhi at 10 am."

However, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda said that a consensus was reached on most issues and a formula was proposed for resolving some others through the formation of a committee.

"We are still hopeful that farmer bodies will hold talks … We will try to resolve issues in the coming days," Munda said.

Farmers have reportedly "modified" tractors to remove the barricades and boulders placed by the police on highways for their Delhi Chalo' march scheduled today.

Central intelligence agencies had alerted authorities in Delhi, Punjab and Haryana over a suspected mass movement of farmers, which will include over 5,000 tractors.

"Tractors have been fitted with hydraulic tools to remove barricades, fire-resistant hard-shell trailers being readied to fight tear gas shells. They have also performed drills with these modified vehicles," news agency ANI quoted a Central intelligence agency official as saying.

The official also said that the horsepower of these machines has been doubled to ferry maximum numbers of protesting farmers to the site.

The Haryana authorities sealed the state's border with Punjab at many places in Ambala, Jind and Fatehabad districts with concrete blocks, road spike barriers and barbed wires to thwart the proposed march to Delhi by farmers on February 13.

The Haryana government also imposed Section 144 of the CrPC, which prohibits assembly of five or more people, in 15 districts, banning any kind of demonstration or march in tractor-trolleys.

The Chandigarh administration also imposed Section 144 in the city for a period of 60 days in the view of the proposed march.

Delhi Police on Monday issued a traffic advisory in view of the proposed 'Delhi Chalo' farmers' protest and alerted the commuters about restrictions on the movement of vehicles at three borders of the national capital (Ghazipur, Tikri and Singhu).

Several farmer associations, mostly from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab, have called for the march on February 13 to demand a law guaranteeing MSP for their produce, one of the conditions they had set when they agreed to withdraw their agitation in 2021.

With heavy barricading at Ghazipur border, which is a key entry point to Delhi, traffic woes are expected today. As per the advisory, traffic from Delhi going to Ghaziabad through Gazipur border have been asked to take Pushta Road in front of Akshardham temple or, Patparganj Road/Mother Dairy road or, Chaudhary Charan Singh Marg ISBT Anand Vihar and exit from Maharajpur or Apsara border in UP Ghaziabad.

Several farmer associations, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have called for the march today to demand a law guaranteeing MSP for their produce.

Besides a legal guarantee for MSP, the farmers are also demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, withdrawal of police cases and "justice" for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstate the Land Acquisition Act 2013, withdrawal from the World Trade Organization, compensation for families of farmers died during the previous agitation, among others.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar earlier announced suspension of mobile internet, bulk SMS, and all dongle services in several districts. According to an official notification released by the Haryana government, bulk SMS and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except voice calls, will remain suspended. The order has been in effect from 6 am on February 11 and will last till 11:59 pm on February 13.

Anticipating the march today, Haryana has sealed its border with Punjab by putting up concrete blocks, road spike barriers and a huge contingent of police. Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed for the 'Dilli Chalo' march by farmers in Delhi.