'Dilli Chalo': Ahead of Farmers' March, Centre Invites Farm Leaders for Meeting On February 12

The Union government ahead of the February 13 farmers' march to New Delhi, has invited farm leaders to a meeting to heed their demands.

New Delhi: Ahead of the crucial farmers' march to the National capital on February 13, the Union Government has invited farm unions for a meeting on February 12 aimed at discussing and finding a resolution to their demands.

Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarvan Singh Pander on February 11 informed that farmers will meet with Union Ministers on February 12. He said, “A meeting with Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal and Nityanand Rai regarding the demands of farmers’ unions will take place on 12th February at 5 pm in Chandigarh.”

Meanwhile, in anticipation of untoward incidents, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had announced the suspension of mobile internet, bulk SMS and all dongle services in several districts till February 13 when farmers are scheduled to march to Delhi to press for a host of demands.

According to a notification issued by the Haryana administration, bulk SMS and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except voice calls, will remain suspended.

As per the official order, mobile internet services will remain suspended in seven districts - Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa--from 6 am on February 11 till 11.59 pm on February 13. Meanwhile, on Saturday, security was tightened in Jind, Haryana ahead of the scheduled 'Delhi Chalo' march of the farmers.

Jind Police also issued a traffic advisory as a precautionary measure for the convenience of the passengers. Motorists and commuters have been advised to use the main roads of the state only in urgent situations on the day of the scheduled march.

The advisory also mentioned the possibility of traffic disruption on all main routes from Haryana to Punjab. Elaborate arrangements have been made by the police to maintain peace and order, prevent any kind of violence and facilitate traffic and public transport system, according to officials. People can contact dial-112 during any untoward situation, the advisory stated.

Heavy police deployment and barricading were done in Ambala, officials informed. Significantly, the leaders of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Lakhowal in Ludhiana announced on Saturday that they will not join the 'Delhi Chalo' protest on February 13 but will oppose if the farmers faced manhandling during the march.

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