As the stalemate over the Centre’s controversial agricultural laws persists, thousands of protesting farmers from Delhi’s neighbouring states are set to take out a protest march today to block the Delhi-Jaipur highway.
The will be the second attempt by farmers to block the crucial interstate highway after their proposed blockade failed yesterday. Today’s march will be followed by a hunger strike on December 14, when the protesters have called for a nationwide protest.
Key updates on the big story
- Farmers will start their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march from Rajasthan’s Shahjahanpur through the Jaipur-Delhi Highway at 11 am.
- The Delhi Police has scaled up security by deploying extra personnel and putting in place multi-layered barricades at various border points.
- Farmer leaders on Wednesday rejected a government proposal to amend the new farm laws and announced that they would intensify their agitation by blocking the Jaipur-Delhi highway.
- In a renewed appeal to farmers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the laws are meant to bring reforms and increase farmers’ income. “Agriculture reforms would bring new markets and opportunities to farmers, they will gain from technology. This will bring more investment in agriculture and this will benefit the farmers most, especially the small farmer,” PM Modi said.
- Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said on Saturday that the deadlock between the Central government and protesting farmers over new agricultural laws are likely to end in the next 24 to 48 hours, asserting that a breakthrough is expected in the final round of talks between the Centre and the unions.