The farm unions reiterated that they were ready for renewed talks but would continue to insist on repeal of the three laws and a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) while protesters from west UP give a new energy to the agitators. The unions said they had not yet received any communication from the Centre for talks which could, however, happen only in a congenial atmosphere. They claimed more than 100 farmers were still reported to be “missing” after the tractor rally and the police action that followed the violence on Republic Day.
The unions’ umbrella body Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has formed a committee to look into the issue of “missing persons”. “It is compiling information on missing persons following which formal action can be initiated with the authorities,” farm leader Darshan Pal said. On the prospect of talks, Yogendra Yadav of Jai Kisan Andolan, referring to PM Narendra Modi’s remark that the proposal made to farmers (keeping the laws suspended for up to 18 months) was still on offer, said, “If the government takes two steps forward (from what it had offered on January 22), farmers will not move backward. We don’t have any ego. We are ready for talks. We want farmers to get what they want and they want repeal of the three farm laws and legal guarantee for MSP.” This might suggest some leeway, but it is for the unions, mainly from Punjab, to take a decision.
Earlier in the day, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait suggested that talks could take place. He said that he was thankful to the PM for his initiative, those arrested would need to be released first. Appealing to farmers to strengthen the movement, Yadav, in his message from Shahjahanpur border, said, “Pura khel ab palat gaya hai. Ab palda kisan ka bhari hai. (The situation has completely turned and farmers are now on the front foot).”
Modi told an all-party meeting that the government’s proposals to the unions still stood and agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar was just a phone call away for taking the talks forward. He referred to the agriculture ministry’s proposals of putting implementation of the farm laws on hold for 18 month and setting up a joint committee to discuss farmers’ demands during the period.
The ministry had made this proposal during the 10th round of talks on January 20 and stuck to it in the next round of talks on January 22 while asking the unions to come for talks after accepting this offer. The unions, however, rejected the offer, leading to the current stalemate.
Cops erect walls at border
Delhi Police is securing the borders, and how! Roads are being dug up with cranes, iron grills and spikes are being cemented to the ground, layers of barricades are being laid out - with concrete poured between two barriers for stability - and concertina wire and boulders placed to create more obstacles. Stung by the violence on January 26, which caught them off-guard, and determined to prevent a repetition, the cops are going to extraordinary lengths to keep the protesting farmers at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur grounded.
A call has been given for a three-hour chakka jam on February 6 by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha to protest against these measures, arrests, suspension of internet, sealing of roads, stoppage of water supply and, of course, the contentious farm laws. The cops are imposing a kind of chakka jam of their own by installing tyre slashers
Mayhem in Singhu
Three days after the widespread violence in the capital on Republic Day, the farmers protesting against the farm laws at Singhu border clashed with a group of people. The latter claimed they were locals and accused the farmers of having insulted the national flag. This led to a pitched battle with stone-pelting from both sides and injuries to many. These included the Alipur SHO, Pradeep Paliwal, who was badly wounded when a sword-wielding protester from among the farmers attacked him.
“Forty-four people have been arrested. Three other officials who were trying to control the mob were also injured,” said Sanjay Singh, special commissioner of police, Western Zone. A group of over 200 people arrived at the protest site around noon holding placards and flags. They claimed they were facing economic hardship and wanted the farmers to leave the area. This was just a day after another group had raised slogans against the farmers and promised to return later.
After shouting slogans for an hour, these protesters broke through the police cordon and managed to enter the protest site. They then began damaging tents, langars and several other items belonging to the farmers. This led to a massive confrontation between the two groups despite a call from Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee stage asking the farmers not to react with the Satnam Jaap being played on a loop to defuse the situation.
