22:53 January 31
Opposition leaders must be coming out of empathy: Tikait
BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said, "The Opposition leaders must be coming out of empathy. There's no point for them to look for votes here. We will talk to the government as we believe that the issue can only be solved with dialogue."
20:54 January 31
AAP's demand for police protection for farmers nothing more than 'dramebaazi,' says Punjab CM
Aam Aadmi Party's demand for deployment of the state police to protect the agitating farmers from Punjab at Delhi borders is "nothing more than dramebaazi", said Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
Trashing the AAP's demand as "arbitrary, absurd and irrational," Singh in a press release said, "Arvind Kejriwal's party has clearly lost all sense of Constitutional and legal propriety, and was completely ignorant even on the law laid down by the highest court of the land."
20:36 January 31
Anti-social elements attack agitating farmers in Gwalior
Anti-social elements attacked agitating farmers and created ruckus in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior. The police controlled the situation by assuring to take action against the attackers.
19:04 January 31
Yogendra Yadav slams central government
Addressing a gathering in Rajasthan's Alwar district, Swaraj Party leader Yogendra Yadav slammed the central government and said the government and its machinery made all efforts to end the protest but they could not succeed.
18:53 January 31
ETV Bharat talks to BKU leader K Sai Reddy
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader K. Sai Reddy said that In the protest, there are people who are genuinely thinking about the interests of the farmers, but at the same time, some politically motivated people have also entered, due to which final solution is not coming.
18:45 January 31
Haryana: Internet services suspended for one more day
Haryana government has extended the suspension of mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/CDMA/GPRS), SMS services (only bulk SMS) and all dongle services, etc. provided on mobile networks except the voice calls in the territorial jurisdiction of districts of Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat, Hisar, Jind, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Charkhi Dadri, Sonipat and Jhajjar till 5 pm on February 1, 2021.
18:44 January 31
Sukhbir Singh Badal meets Tikait at Ghazipur border
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal met Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait at Ghazipur border.
"I congratulate Rakesh Tikait ji for his fight against the farm laws. All farmers are grateful to him, our party stands with him," he said.
17:23 January 31
Hope Sharad Pawar will explain benefit of farm laws to farmers: Tomar
Responding to NCP chief Sharad Pawar's critique of the new farm laws, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, "Sharad Pawar ji is a veteran politician and a former Union Agriculture Minister, who is also considered well-versed with the issues & solutions relating to Agriculture. He has himself tried hard to bring the same agriculture reforms earlier."
He went on to add, "As he is such a veteran leader, I would like to believe that he was genuinely misinformed of the facts. Now that he has the right facts, I hope he will also change his stand & also explain the benefits to our farmers."
17:11 January 31
Delhi Crime Branch along with Guj FSL team investigating R-Day incident
The Crime Branch of Delhi Police is investigating several cases related to violence during the tractor parade of farmers on 26 January. Today, on the instructions of the Crime Branch, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team from Gujarat collected evidence from ITO area.
17:03 January 31
AAP legislator Chadha writes to Punjab CM
Aam Aadmi Party's Raghav Chadha wrote to Punjab CM Amarinder Singh saying," AAP demands that you deploy Punjab Police in sufficient numbers to surround the camps where the peaceful protests are being held from all sides."
16:59 January 31
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal reiterates support to farmers' stir
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today reiterated his support to the farmers protesting the Centre's new agriculture reform laws and said he will offer any help possible to them.
16:56 January 31
There won't be any agreement under pressure: Rakesh Tikait
Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait said, "There won't be any agreement under pressure. We will hold discussions on the issue. The Prime Minister is ours too, we are thankful for his initiative. We will respect it. We want our people to be released."
16:53 January 31
Sukhbir Badal visits Ghazipur, lends support to protest
Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal, whose party pulled out of ruling NDA over the contentious farm laws, on Sunday visited the Ghazipur area near the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border to lend his support to the ongoing farmers’ agitation.
16:50 January 31
Delhi Police to use scientific method to identify those involved in R-Day violence
The Delhi Police crime branch is seeking CCTV footage from traffic police, local police, National Highways Authority of India, Public Works Department, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and resident welfare associations at Najafgarh, Nangloi, NH-9, and other places where the January 26 violence took place.
15:32 January 31
Mahapanchayat begins at Rajasthan-Haryana border
Mahapanchayat has begun at Behror along Rajasthan-Haryana border. Farmers of as many as 84 villages are participating in it.
15:07 January 31
'Can't rely on police anymore," say farmers
In the aftermath of violence at Singhu border, farmers have stepped up "internal security" — from increased vigils to checkpoints — to prevent any untoward incident and ensure "political agents" do not get a chance to incite violence again.
15:02 January 31
Farmers disrupt shooting of Janhvi Kapoor's movie in Punjab
Actor Janhvi Kapoor's upcoming film's shooting was disrupted briefly in Punjab's Patiala district today by a group of farmers who demanded a statement from the actor in support of their protest against the three new farm laws. This is the second time that the shooting of the movie "Good Luck Jerry" was halted in Patiala.
14:10 January 31
Delhi Police receive 1,700 video clips and CCTV footage from public
The Delhi Police has received 1,700 video clips and CCTV footage from public so far related to the violence during farmers' Republic Day tractor rally and is taking help from forensic experts to analyse the material and identify the culprits, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) BK Singh said on Saturday.
Singh said the Crime Branch, which is investigating the nine cases related to the violence including at the Red Fort and ITO, is also examining dump data of mobile phone calls and registration numbers of tractors.
He said a team from the National Forensic Sciences University has been called to analyse the video clips and CCTV footage related to the violence that left 394 police personnel injured and one protester dead.
On Friday, the Delhi Police had issued an appeal in leading newspapers asking people to share any evidence or information about the violence.
"After our appeal, Delhi Police has received 1,700 video clips and CCTV footage from public related to the violence that took place during the tractor parade on Republic Day. Through videos, we will identify culprits who indulged in the violence," Singh said.
He said that investigators are also analysing footage and photos taken from drone-mounted cameras and carrying out 3D mapping of the area vandalised at the Red Fort.
A team of forensic experts on Saturday visited the Red Fort to collect samples.
13:58 January 31
'Protests to continue till farm laws repealed'
Rakesh Tikait, the national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, has said that if the government calls the farmers for talks, then the farmers' unions will be positively involved in it.
In a special conversation with ETV Bharat, Rakesh Tikait said that until the farm laws are repealed, the protest will continue at the Ghazipur border.
Rakesh Tikait said that the farmers on the Ghazipur border are getting the support of the farmers coming from the surrounding districts. The police want to suppress us, but we will not go home from here till the laws are repealed.
On the question of Prime Minister Narendra Modi referring to farmers in Mann Ki Baat, Rakesh Tikait said that we do not want to bow down to the government.
We are protesting in a peaceful manner and if the government calls us for talks, then we will join them positively and keep our point.
Rakesh Tikait said that at present, ration water is coming from the adjacent village.
The government had stopped our water supply. After which thousands of farmers are bringing water from their homes.
Our protest is going on peacefully and will continue in the coming days.
13:41 January 31
Bhartiya Kisan Sangh All India Secretary addresses media
Bhartiya Kisan Sangh All India Secretary K Sai Reddy addressed media in New Delhi today on the issues related to Farmers Protests against three Farm Laws.
BKS Leader said that Farmer Unions should discuss with government and demand for amendments rather than demanding to repeal the three Farm Laws. Kisan Sangh had suggested some amendments to which this government agreed on the two and assured that the other two suggestions will also be discussed. BKS also demanded a law to guarantee mandatory purchase on MSP but government has not said anything on that.
13:37 January 31
Will honour PM's dignity, but also protect farmers' self-respect: Naresh Tikai
Farmer leader Naresh Tikait Sunday said that protesting farmers will honour the dignity of prime minister, but are also committed to protect their own self-respect, a day after Narendra Modi said his government was just a phone call away for talks with them.
Tikait said the government should release our men and prepare an environment conducive for talks.
A respectful solution should be reached. We will never agree to anything under pressure, he told said at the Ghazipur border between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had Saturday said his government's offer on agri laws made to protesting farmers still stands and it was a just phone call away for talks, days after violence broke out in parts of the national capital on Republic Day.
We will honor and respect the dignity of prime minister. Farmers don't want that the government or Parliament bows down to them," Tikait said.
Will also ensure that the self-respect of farmers is protected. A middle way should be found. Talks should be held," he added.
During their January 26 parade, many of the protesters, driving tractors, reached the Red Fort while some of them hoisted religious flags on its domes and the flagstaff at the ramparts, where the national flag is unfurled by the prime minister on Independence Day.
Tikait said, The violence on January 26 was part of a conspiracy. The Tricolor is over and above everything. We will never let anyone disrespect it. It will not be tolerated, he said.
The Delhi Police has registered nearly 40 cases and made over 80 arrests in connection with the violence and vandalism.
The government should release our men and prepare an environment conducive for talks. A respectful solution should be reached. We will never agree to anything under pressure, Tikait asserted.
In his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast Sunday, Prime Minister Modi also referred to the Red Fort incident, saying the country was much pained at seeing the dishonour to the Tricolour on Republic Day.
13:27 January 31
Punjab CM calls all-party meet on Tuesday to evolve consensus on farmers stir
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has called an all-party meeting on Tuesday, 2nd February, to evolve a consensus on the way forward on the issue of the Farm Laws and the farmers’ agitation in the light of the recent developments in Delhi.
The meeting will be held at 11 a.m. in Punjab Bhawan, an official spokesperson announced.
The meeting will discuss the situation arising out of the recent developments in the ongoing farmers’ agitation in Delhi, especially in view of the R-day violence, the Singhu border attack on farmers, and the massive vilification campaign against them.
Urging all parties to join the meeting in a spirit of unity, in support of the farmers and in the interest of Punjab, the Chief Minister said the crisis triggered by the Farm Laws was a matter of concern for the entire state and its people.
Only through collective efforts of all Punjabis, and all the political parties of the state, can the crisis be tackled effectively and the farmers’ interests be protected, he added.“Our farmers are dying out there at the Delhi borders for more than 2 months now.
They are being beaten by the police and assaulted by goons.
They are being harassed by being deprived of basic amenities,” the Chief Minister pointed out, adding that with a large number of farmers from Punjab at the receiving end of this battering, it was imperative for all parties to come together to evolve a cohesive strategy on the issue.
The Chief Minister hoped that all political parties in Punjab, which is the worst affected by the prevailing crisis, will put aside their differences to find a solution to the problem, which touches every Punjabi. “This is not the time to stand on ego but to come together to save our state and our people,” he stressed.
11:58 January 31
Sarva Khap Mahapanchayat to be held in Bagpat today
The Sarva Khap Mahapanchayat is to be held today. The heavy police force has been deployed on Delhi-Saharanpur Highway-709. It is worth mentioning that on 31 January, a Mahapanchayat of all the Khapas was announced in Barot and the Panchayat site Barot tehsil complex was chosen. The area around the tehsil has been made as a cantonment.
The meeting of khap chowdharis and farmers was held on Saturday where it was decided that a meeting will be held on Sunday where the future strategy for the protest will be chalked out.
11:03 January 31
'Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow'
Attacking the Central and state government over the farm laws, Naresh Tikait, President of BKU said that farmers till date have been benefitted by no government. He also said that the protest can continue for many days and they are also ready to face the court if needed.
10:09 January 31
Digvijaya Singh backs Sharad Pawar's critique of new farm laws, asks him to 'drill some sense' into PM Modi
Backing Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar's critique of the new farm laws, Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday asked the former Union Agriculture Minister to "drill some sense" into Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"You are absolutely correct Pawar Saheb. Why don't you drill some sense into Modi ji? He has always held you in high esteem!!," Singh tweeted while quoting Pawar's six-tweet response to the central government over old farm reform plans.
Pawar, the Union Agriculture Minister for ten years in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government, had on Saturday posted a critique of the new farm laws against which farmers have been protesting at different borders of Delhi for over two months.
Pawar said the new central laws will adversely affect the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and weaken the mandi system.
"Reform is a continuous process and no one would argue against the reforms in the APMCs or Mandi System, a positive argument on the same does not mean that it is done to weaken or demolish the system," he tweeted.
"During my tenure, the draft APMC Rules - 2007 were framed for the setting up of special markets thereby providing alternate platforms for farmers to market their commodities and utmost care was also taken to strengthen the existing Mandi system," he added.
Supporting the farmers' stand that the new laws will result in loss of income, Pawar said, "New agricultural laws restrict the powers of Mandi system i.e. the collection of levy and fees from the private markets, dispute resolution, agri-trade licencing and regulations of E-trading." "New laws will adversely impact the MSP procurement infrastructure thereby weakening the Mandi system. MSP mechanism has to be ensured and strengthened further," he added.
Pawar said he was also concerned about the amended Essential Commodities Act.
"I am also concerned about the amended Essential Commodities Act. According to the act the Govt will intervene for price control only if rates of horticultural produce are increased by 100 per cent and that of non perishable items increase by 50 per cent," he tweeted.
"Stock piling limits have been removed on food grain, pulses, onion, potato, oilseeds etc. It may lead to apprehensions that Corporates may purchase commodities at lower rates and stock pile and sell at higher prices to consumers," he added.
09:55 January 31
More Women arrive to take lead in protests at Singhu
Thousands of women are arriving at the Singhu border to join the farmer protests. After Rakesh Tikat emotional outbreast following January 26 violence, the number of women at various protest sights at Delhi’s borders has been increasing steadily.
09:44 January 31
Farmers' protest continues amid tight security, next meeting with Centre on Feb 2
Heightened security deployment has continued at the Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) as farmers' protest against three agriculture laws entered the 67th day on Sunday. The next round of talks between the farmers and the Centre is scheduled for February 2.
While the protest at Ghazipur border by the farmers (Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border) has entered Day 65. Security has been beefed up as more farmers are coming to the protest site for the past two-three days.
"Government is changing the goal-post. It is a bad thing. They are not taking any decision. The government should repeal the laws. It will be better for the farmers and the government," Shyam, a protesting farmer at Ghazipur border said,
Another farmer Ram Beer Singh said, "We will not accept the proposal. We will continue to protest. We have not done anything bad and we want the repeal of the laws."
Protestors were seen raising slogans against the central government. They were demanding the repeal of farm laws.
They were also seen sitting on 'relay hunger strike'.
"Since December 22, 2020, we are organising relay hunger where 11 farmers sit on hunger strike for 24 hours. Farmers are ready for talks with the government if they have good intention. We are always ready for talks," Tajinder Singh Virk, a farmer leader said.
To 'maintain public safety and averting public emergency', the Union Home Ministry has temporarily suspended internet services at the three borders and their adjoining areas from 11 pm of January 29 to 11 pm of January 31. The Haryana government has also extended the suspension of internet services in 17 districts till 5 pm on January 31. The Delhi Police has also closed the NH-24 route.
During all party-meeting on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that the proposal of government given to farmers on January 22 still stands and should be communicated to all by the leaders of the political parties.
PM Modi has also said that Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar was just a phone call away for protestors.
On January 22, during the 11th round of talks with protesting farmers, the government proposed to suspend the new legislations for one-and-a-half years and also proposed to set up a joint committee to discuss the Acts.
The tension between the government and farmers protesting the farm laws has escalated after the violence which broke out in various parts of the national capital during the farmers' tractor rally on Republic Day.
On Republic Day, protestors did not follow the prearranged route and broke barricades to enter Delhi, clashed with police and vandalised property in several parts of the national capital during the farmers' tractor rally organised to protest against the Centre's three new farm laws. They also entered the Red Fort and unfurled their flags from its ramparts.
09:43 January 31
Madan Bhaiyya extends Gurjar community's support to protesting farmers
Prominent Gurjar leader of western Uttar Pradesh Madan Bhaiyya has extended his community's support to the Bharatiya Kisan Union in its ongoing protest against the new three farm laws.
Without naming him, Madan Bhaiyya on Saturday also hit out at BJP's Loni MLA Nand Kishor Gurjar, who has been accused by farmers of orchestrating violence at the Ghazipur protest site on January 26, saying he indulged in "anti-farmer acts".
Nand Kishor, however, has denied the allegations.
Madan Bhaiyya said the farmers at Delhi's borders have been protesting for two months now and braving the cold to highlight their demand for the rollback of the new laws and their movement is non-political and peaceful.
He also lauded BKU leader Rakesh Tikait and his supporters for infusing new energy into the movement.
Madan Bhaiyya extended the support of the Gurjar community to all protests against the new farm laws at different Delhi borders including Ghazipur, where BKU members and supporters have been camping since November 28 last year.
Referring to the violence on January 26, Madan Bhaiyya said, "The ruckus created by one anti-national element has embarrassed the whole country and because of this the protesting farmers felt discouraged and demotivated despite being innocent."
Targeting Nand Kishor, the four-time former MLA and regional strongman said in a statement, "Recently, a man who attaches Gurjar surname indulged in anti-farmer acts which have embarrassed the whole community."
"Gurjars are also identified as a farming community and in this light, it would dent the prestige of all Gurjars if any community member goes to these protests with an intention to create a ruckus," he said.
09:33 January 31
Locals allege threat to life
Following clash between farmers and locals at Singhu over the removal of protesters from the border, some locals have alleged that they are getting calls from foreign numbers wherein they are being threatened.
In this regard one of the locals, Ajay has also filed a complaint at local police station.
Ajay said that since Friday evening, he was being constantly threatened after he received calls from different countries including Canada, Malaysia.
09:21 January 31
Haryana Congress to embark on 'peace march' in support of protesting farmers
Haryana Congress will organise peace march in every block of the state from February 3 to 5 in support of farmers protesting against the Central agri laws, said state Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Kumari Selja on Saturday.
"Haryana Congress will organise peace march in every block of the state from February 3 to 5 in support of farmers protesting against the Central agri laws and also for promoting brotherhood and harmony," Selja told reporters.
"BJP government was crossing all limits of shamelessness. All tactics were being adopted by the party to declare the farmers as traitors," she alleged.
The state party chief asked "what type of patriotism is the BJP exhibiting? It should remember that the families of these farmers have sacrificed their lives for the country. Members of their family are on the borders."
"BJP members are attacking farmers who are peacefully agitating at the sites, where the police remained a mute spectator. Farmers are being threatened and intimidated by the police at the behest of the BJP. False cases are being filed against them," she added.
08:19 January 31
Security deployment continues at Singhu
Delhi: Security deployment continues at Singhu border as farmers' protest against three agriculture laws enters 67th day; latest visuals from near the protest site.
06:51 January 31
Farmers' Stir Updates
New Delhi: Delhi Police on Saturday said its Crime branch has received 1,700 mobile clips and CCTV footage from the public in connection with the January 26 violence during farmers' tractor rally.
In a statement, Delhi police said that a total of 84 people were arrested and 38 FIRs have been registered in connection with the Republic Day violence.
The Crime Branch of Delhi Police along with the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team examined Red Fort area on Saturday.
A team of Delhi Police also went to Jalandhar on Friday to search for two men who were suspected to have participated in the violence at Red Fort during the farmers' tractor rally.
On Republic Day, protestors did not follow the prearranged route and broke barricades to enter Delhi, clashed with police and vandalised property in several parts of the national capital during the farmers' tractor rally organised to protest against the Centre's three new farm laws. They also entered the Red Fort and unfurled their flags from its ramparts.
During the violence, a man died after his tractor overturned at the ITO, police said.
Farmers have been protesting on the different borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws: Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
22:53 January 31
Opposition leaders must be coming out of empathy: Tikait
BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said, "The Opposition leaders must be coming out of empathy. There's no point for them to look for votes here. We will talk to the government as we believe that the issue can only be solved with dialogue."
20:54 January 31
AAP's demand for police protection for farmers nothing more than 'dramebaazi,' says Punjab CM
Aam Aadmi Party's demand for deployment of the state police to protect the agitating farmers from Punjab at Delhi borders is "nothing more than dramebaazi", said Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
Trashing the AAP's demand as "arbitrary, absurd and irrational," Singh in a press release said, "Arvind Kejriwal's party has clearly lost all sense of Constitutional and legal propriety, and was completely ignorant even on the law laid down by the highest court of the land."
20:36 January 31
Anti-social elements attack agitating farmers in Gwalior
Anti-social elements attacked agitating farmers and created ruckus in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior. The police controlled the situation by assuring to take action against the attackers.
19:04 January 31
Yogendra Yadav slams central government
Addressing a gathering in Rajasthan's Alwar district, Swaraj Party leader Yogendra Yadav slammed the central government and said the government and its machinery made all efforts to end the protest but they could not succeed.
18:53 January 31
ETV Bharat talks to BKU leader K Sai Reddy
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader K. Sai Reddy said that In the protest, there are people who are genuinely thinking about the interests of the farmers, but at the same time, some politically motivated people have also entered, due to which final solution is not coming.
18:45 January 31
Haryana: Internet services suspended for one more day
Haryana government has extended the suspension of mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/CDMA/GPRS), SMS services (only bulk SMS) and all dongle services, etc. provided on mobile networks except the voice calls in the territorial jurisdiction of districts of Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat, Hisar, Jind, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Charkhi Dadri, Sonipat and Jhajjar till 5 pm on February 1, 2021.
18:44 January 31
Sukhbir Singh Badal meets Tikait at Ghazipur border
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal met Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait at Ghazipur border.
"I congratulate Rakesh Tikait ji for his fight against the farm laws. All farmers are grateful to him, our party stands with him," he said.
17:23 January 31
Hope Sharad Pawar will explain benefit of farm laws to farmers: Tomar
Responding to NCP chief Sharad Pawar's critique of the new farm laws, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, "Sharad Pawar ji is a veteran politician and a former Union Agriculture Minister, who is also considered well-versed with the issues & solutions relating to Agriculture. He has himself tried hard to bring the same agriculture reforms earlier."
He went on to add, "As he is such a veteran leader, I would like to believe that he was genuinely misinformed of the facts. Now that he has the right facts, I hope he will also change his stand & also explain the benefits to our farmers."
17:11 January 31
Delhi Crime Branch along with Guj FSL team investigating R-Day incident
The Crime Branch of Delhi Police is investigating several cases related to violence during the tractor parade of farmers on 26 January. Today, on the instructions of the Crime Branch, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team from Gujarat collected evidence from ITO area.
17:03 January 31
AAP legislator Chadha writes to Punjab CM
Aam Aadmi Party's Raghav Chadha wrote to Punjab CM Amarinder Singh saying," AAP demands that you deploy Punjab Police in sufficient numbers to surround the camps where the peaceful protests are being held from all sides."
16:59 January 31
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal reiterates support to farmers' stir
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today reiterated his support to the farmers protesting the Centre's new agriculture reform laws and said he will offer any help possible to them.
16:56 January 31
There won't be any agreement under pressure: Rakesh Tikait
Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait said, "There won't be any agreement under pressure. We will hold discussions on the issue. The Prime Minister is ours too, we are thankful for his initiative. We will respect it. We want our people to be released."
16:53 January 31
Sukhbir Badal visits Ghazipur, lends support to protest
Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal, whose party pulled out of ruling NDA over the contentious farm laws, on Sunday visited the Ghazipur area near the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border to lend his support to the ongoing farmers’ agitation.
16:50 January 31
Delhi Police to use scientific method to identify those involved in R-Day violence
The Delhi Police crime branch is seeking CCTV footage from traffic police, local police, National Highways Authority of India, Public Works Department, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and resident welfare associations at Najafgarh, Nangloi, NH-9, and other places where the January 26 violence took place.
15:32 January 31
Mahapanchayat begins at Rajasthan-Haryana border
Mahapanchayat has begun at Behror along Rajasthan-Haryana border. Farmers of as many as 84 villages are participating in it.
15:07 January 31
'Can't rely on police anymore," say farmers
In the aftermath of violence at Singhu border, farmers have stepped up "internal security" — from increased vigils to checkpoints — to prevent any untoward incident and ensure "political agents" do not get a chance to incite violence again.
15:02 January 31
Farmers disrupt shooting of Janhvi Kapoor's movie in Punjab
Actor Janhvi Kapoor's upcoming film's shooting was disrupted briefly in Punjab's Patiala district today by a group of farmers who demanded a statement from the actor in support of their protest against the three new farm laws. This is the second time that the shooting of the movie "Good Luck Jerry" was halted in Patiala.
14:10 January 31
Delhi Police receive 1,700 video clips and CCTV footage from public
The Delhi Police has received 1,700 video clips and CCTV footage from public so far related to the violence during farmers' Republic Day tractor rally and is taking help from forensic experts to analyse the material and identify the culprits, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) BK Singh said on Saturday.
Singh said the Crime Branch, which is investigating the nine cases related to the violence including at the Red Fort and ITO, is also examining dump data of mobile phone calls and registration numbers of tractors.
He said a team from the National Forensic Sciences University has been called to analyse the video clips and CCTV footage related to the violence that left 394 police personnel injured and one protester dead.
On Friday, the Delhi Police had issued an appeal in leading newspapers asking people to share any evidence or information about the violence.
"After our appeal, Delhi Police has received 1,700 video clips and CCTV footage from public related to the violence that took place during the tractor parade on Republic Day. Through videos, we will identify culprits who indulged in the violence," Singh said.
He said that investigators are also analysing footage and photos taken from drone-mounted cameras and carrying out 3D mapping of the area vandalised at the Red Fort.
A team of forensic experts on Saturday visited the Red Fort to collect samples.
13:58 January 31
'Protests to continue till farm laws repealed'
Rakesh Tikait, the national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, has said that if the government calls the farmers for talks, then the farmers' unions will be positively involved in it.
In a special conversation with ETV Bharat, Rakesh Tikait said that until the farm laws are repealed, the protest will continue at the Ghazipur border.
Rakesh Tikait said that the farmers on the Ghazipur border are getting the support of the farmers coming from the surrounding districts. The police want to suppress us, but we will not go home from here till the laws are repealed.
On the question of Prime Minister Narendra Modi referring to farmers in Mann Ki Baat, Rakesh Tikait said that we do not want to bow down to the government.
We are protesting in a peaceful manner and if the government calls us for talks, then we will join them positively and keep our point.
Rakesh Tikait said that at present, ration water is coming from the adjacent village.
The government had stopped our water supply. After which thousands of farmers are bringing water from their homes.
Our protest is going on peacefully and will continue in the coming days.
13:41 January 31
Bhartiya Kisan Sangh All India Secretary addresses media
Bhartiya Kisan Sangh All India Secretary K Sai Reddy addressed media in New Delhi today on the issues related to Farmers Protests against three Farm Laws.
BKS Leader said that Farmer Unions should discuss with government and demand for amendments rather than demanding to repeal the three Farm Laws. Kisan Sangh had suggested some amendments to which this government agreed on the two and assured that the other two suggestions will also be discussed. BKS also demanded a law to guarantee mandatory purchase on MSP but government has not said anything on that.
13:37 January 31
Will honour PM's dignity, but also protect farmers' self-respect: Naresh Tikai
Farmer leader Naresh Tikait Sunday said that protesting farmers will honour the dignity of prime minister, but are also committed to protect their own self-respect, a day after Narendra Modi said his government was just a phone call away for talks with them.
Tikait said the government should release our men and prepare an environment conducive for talks.
A respectful solution should be reached. We will never agree to anything under pressure, he told said at the Ghazipur border between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had Saturday said his government's offer on agri laws made to protesting farmers still stands and it was a just phone call away for talks, days after violence broke out in parts of the national capital on Republic Day.
We will honor and respect the dignity of prime minister. Farmers don't want that the government or Parliament bows down to them," Tikait said.
Will also ensure that the self-respect of farmers is protected. A middle way should be found. Talks should be held," he added.
During their January 26 parade, many of the protesters, driving tractors, reached the Red Fort while some of them hoisted religious flags on its domes and the flagstaff at the ramparts, where the national flag is unfurled by the prime minister on Independence Day.
Tikait said, The violence on January 26 was part of a conspiracy. The Tricolor is over and above everything. We will never let anyone disrespect it. It will not be tolerated, he said.
The Delhi Police has registered nearly 40 cases and made over 80 arrests in connection with the violence and vandalism.
The government should release our men and prepare an environment conducive for talks. A respectful solution should be reached. We will never agree to anything under pressure, Tikait asserted.
In his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast Sunday, Prime Minister Modi also referred to the Red Fort incident, saying the country was much pained at seeing the dishonour to the Tricolour on Republic Day.
13:27 January 31
Punjab CM calls all-party meet on Tuesday to evolve consensus on farmers stir
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has called an all-party meeting on Tuesday, 2nd February, to evolve a consensus on the way forward on the issue of the Farm Laws and the farmers’ agitation in the light of the recent developments in Delhi.
The meeting will be held at 11 a.m. in Punjab Bhawan, an official spokesperson announced.
The meeting will discuss the situation arising out of the recent developments in the ongoing farmers’ agitation in Delhi, especially in view of the R-day violence, the Singhu border attack on farmers, and the massive vilification campaign against them.
Urging all parties to join the meeting in a spirit of unity, in support of the farmers and in the interest of Punjab, the Chief Minister said the crisis triggered by the Farm Laws was a matter of concern for the entire state and its people.
Only through collective efforts of all Punjabis, and all the political parties of the state, can the crisis be tackled effectively and the farmers’ interests be protected, he added.“Our farmers are dying out there at the Delhi borders for more than 2 months now.
They are being beaten by the police and assaulted by goons.
They are being harassed by being deprived of basic amenities,” the Chief Minister pointed out, adding that with a large number of farmers from Punjab at the receiving end of this battering, it was imperative for all parties to come together to evolve a cohesive strategy on the issue.
The Chief Minister hoped that all political parties in Punjab, which is the worst affected by the prevailing crisis, will put aside their differences to find a solution to the problem, which touches every Punjabi. “This is not the time to stand on ego but to come together to save our state and our people,” he stressed.
11:58 January 31
Sarva Khap Mahapanchayat to be held in Bagpat today
The Sarva Khap Mahapanchayat is to be held today. The heavy police force has been deployed on Delhi-Saharanpur Highway-709. It is worth mentioning that on 31 January, a Mahapanchayat of all the Khapas was announced in Barot and the Panchayat site Barot tehsil complex was chosen. The area around the tehsil has been made as a cantonment.
The meeting of khap chowdharis and farmers was held on Saturday where it was decided that a meeting will be held on Sunday where the future strategy for the protest will be chalked out.
11:03 January 31
'Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow'
Attacking the Central and state government over the farm laws, Naresh Tikait, President of BKU said that farmers till date have been benefitted by no government. He also said that the protest can continue for many days and they are also ready to face the court if needed.
10:09 January 31
Digvijaya Singh backs Sharad Pawar's critique of new farm laws, asks him to 'drill some sense' into PM Modi
Backing Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar's critique of the new farm laws, Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday asked the former Union Agriculture Minister to "drill some sense" into Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"You are absolutely correct Pawar Saheb. Why don't you drill some sense into Modi ji? He has always held you in high esteem!!," Singh tweeted while quoting Pawar's six-tweet response to the central government over old farm reform plans.
Pawar, the Union Agriculture Minister for ten years in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government, had on Saturday posted a critique of the new farm laws against which farmers have been protesting at different borders of Delhi for over two months.
Pawar said the new central laws will adversely affect the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and weaken the mandi system.
"Reform is a continuous process and no one would argue against the reforms in the APMCs or Mandi System, a positive argument on the same does not mean that it is done to weaken or demolish the system," he tweeted.
"During my tenure, the draft APMC Rules - 2007 were framed for the setting up of special markets thereby providing alternate platforms for farmers to market their commodities and utmost care was also taken to strengthen the existing Mandi system," he added.
Supporting the farmers' stand that the new laws will result in loss of income, Pawar said, "New agricultural laws restrict the powers of Mandi system i.e. the collection of levy and fees from the private markets, dispute resolution, agri-trade licencing and regulations of E-trading." "New laws will adversely impact the MSP procurement infrastructure thereby weakening the Mandi system. MSP mechanism has to be ensured and strengthened further," he added.
Pawar said he was also concerned about the amended Essential Commodities Act.
"I am also concerned about the amended Essential Commodities Act. According to the act the Govt will intervene for price control only if rates of horticultural produce are increased by 100 per cent and that of non perishable items increase by 50 per cent," he tweeted.
"Stock piling limits have been removed on food grain, pulses, onion, potato, oilseeds etc. It may lead to apprehensions that Corporates may purchase commodities at lower rates and stock pile and sell at higher prices to consumers," he added.
09:55 January 31
More Women arrive to take lead in protests at Singhu
Thousands of women are arriving at the Singhu border to join the farmer protests. After Rakesh Tikat emotional outbreast following January 26 violence, the number of women at various protest sights at Delhi’s borders has been increasing steadily.
09:44 January 31
Farmers' protest continues amid tight security, next meeting with Centre on Feb 2
Heightened security deployment has continued at the Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) as farmers' protest against three agriculture laws entered the 67th day on Sunday. The next round of talks between the farmers and the Centre is scheduled for February 2.
While the protest at Ghazipur border by the farmers (Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border) has entered Day 65. Security has been beefed up as more farmers are coming to the protest site for the past two-three days.
"Government is changing the goal-post. It is a bad thing. They are not taking any decision. The government should repeal the laws. It will be better for the farmers and the government," Shyam, a protesting farmer at Ghazipur border said,
Another farmer Ram Beer Singh said, "We will not accept the proposal. We will continue to protest. We have not done anything bad and we want the repeal of the laws."
Protestors were seen raising slogans against the central government. They were demanding the repeal of farm laws.
They were also seen sitting on 'relay hunger strike'.
"Since December 22, 2020, we are organising relay hunger where 11 farmers sit on hunger strike for 24 hours. Farmers are ready for talks with the government if they have good intention. We are always ready for talks," Tajinder Singh Virk, a farmer leader said.
To 'maintain public safety and averting public emergency', the Union Home Ministry has temporarily suspended internet services at the three borders and their adjoining areas from 11 pm of January 29 to 11 pm of January 31. The Haryana government has also extended the suspension of internet services in 17 districts till 5 pm on January 31. The Delhi Police has also closed the NH-24 route.
During all party-meeting on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that the proposal of government given to farmers on January 22 still stands and should be communicated to all by the leaders of the political parties.
PM Modi has also said that Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar was just a phone call away for protestors.
On January 22, during the 11th round of talks with protesting farmers, the government proposed to suspend the new legislations for one-and-a-half years and also proposed to set up a joint committee to discuss the Acts.
The tension between the government and farmers protesting the farm laws has escalated after the violence which broke out in various parts of the national capital during the farmers' tractor rally on Republic Day.
On Republic Day, protestors did not follow the prearranged route and broke barricades to enter Delhi, clashed with police and vandalised property in several parts of the national capital during the farmers' tractor rally organised to protest against the Centre's three new farm laws. They also entered the Red Fort and unfurled their flags from its ramparts.
09:43 January 31
Madan Bhaiyya extends Gurjar community's support to protesting farmers
Prominent Gurjar leader of western Uttar Pradesh Madan Bhaiyya has extended his community's support to the Bharatiya Kisan Union in its ongoing protest against the new three farm laws.
Without naming him, Madan Bhaiyya on Saturday also hit out at BJP's Loni MLA Nand Kishor Gurjar, who has been accused by farmers of orchestrating violence at the Ghazipur protest site on January 26, saying he indulged in "anti-farmer acts".
Nand Kishor, however, has denied the allegations.
Madan Bhaiyya said the farmers at Delhi's borders have been protesting for two months now and braving the cold to highlight their demand for the rollback of the new laws and their movement is non-political and peaceful.
He also lauded BKU leader Rakesh Tikait and his supporters for infusing new energy into the movement.
Madan Bhaiyya extended the support of the Gurjar community to all protests against the new farm laws at different Delhi borders including Ghazipur, where BKU members and supporters have been camping since November 28 last year.
Referring to the violence on January 26, Madan Bhaiyya said, "The ruckus created by one anti-national element has embarrassed the whole country and because of this the protesting farmers felt discouraged and demotivated despite being innocent."
Targeting Nand Kishor, the four-time former MLA and regional strongman said in a statement, "Recently, a man who attaches Gurjar surname indulged in anti-farmer acts which have embarrassed the whole community."
"Gurjars are also identified as a farming community and in this light, it would dent the prestige of all Gurjars if any community member goes to these protests with an intention to create a ruckus," he said.
09:33 January 31
Locals allege threat to life
Following clash between farmers and locals at Singhu over the removal of protesters from the border, some locals have alleged that they are getting calls from foreign numbers wherein they are being threatened.
In this regard one of the locals, Ajay has also filed a complaint at local police station.
Ajay said that since Friday evening, he was being constantly threatened after he received calls from different countries including Canada, Malaysia.
09:21 January 31
Haryana Congress to embark on 'peace march' in support of protesting farmers
Haryana Congress will organise peace march in every block of the state from February 3 to 5 in support of farmers protesting against the Central agri laws, said state Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Kumari Selja on Saturday.
"Haryana Congress will organise peace march in every block of the state from February 3 to 5 in support of farmers protesting against the Central agri laws and also for promoting brotherhood and harmony," Selja told reporters.
"BJP government was crossing all limits of shamelessness. All tactics were being adopted by the party to declare the farmers as traitors," she alleged.
The state party chief asked "what type of patriotism is the BJP exhibiting? It should remember that the families of these farmers have sacrificed their lives for the country. Members of their family are on the borders."
"BJP members are attacking farmers who are peacefully agitating at the sites, where the police remained a mute spectator. Farmers are being threatened and intimidated by the police at the behest of the BJP. False cases are being filed against them," she added.
08:19 January 31
Security deployment continues at Singhu
Delhi: Security deployment continues at Singhu border as farmers' protest against three agriculture laws enters 67th day; latest visuals from near the protest site.
06:51 January 31
Farmers' Stir Updates
New Delhi: Delhi Police on Saturday said its Crime branch has received 1,700 mobile clips and CCTV footage from the public in connection with the January 26 violence during farmers' tractor rally.
In a statement, Delhi police said that a total of 84 people were arrested and 38 FIRs have been registered in connection with the Republic Day violence.
The Crime Branch of Delhi Police along with the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team examined Red Fort area on Saturday.
A team of Delhi Police also went to Jalandhar on Friday to search for two men who were suspected to have participated in the violence at Red Fort during the farmers' tractor rally.
On Republic Day, protestors did not follow the prearranged route and broke barricades to enter Delhi, clashed with police and vandalised property in several parts of the national capital during the farmers' tractor rally organised to protest against the Centre's three new farm laws. They also entered the Red Fort and unfurled their flags from its ramparts.
During the violence, a man died after his tractor overturned at the ITO, police said.
Farmers have been protesting on the different borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws: Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
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