Farmers’ protest: Section 144 in Noida, Minister for talks again, Chandigarh

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Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) police on Thursday said restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC, which also includes a ban on unauthorized public gatherings, will be implemented across the district on February 16.

The decision has been taken in view of the proposed protest march called by farmers’ body Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and other unions. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), part of SKM, had earlier called for ‘Bharat Bandh’ on February 16, citing several unfulfilled demands of farmers.

“Various programs like protests etc. are proposed by SKM and various organizations on Friday. Therefore, section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) is invoked on February 16,” the police said in a statement.

According to the order, unlawful assembly of five or more people, unauthorized processions or demonstrations, including political or religious, are prohibited. The order also prohibits the use of private drones within 1 km radius of government establishments and also bans people from carrying sticks, rods, tridents, swords, firearms, etc. in public places.

BKU local leader Pawan Khatana said that during the Bharat Bandh, farmers have been asked to go on strike for a day to put pressure on the government for their demands.

“Farmers have been asked not to work in the fields, or go to the market for any shopping tomorrow. Traders and transporters have also been called upon to join the strike,” Khatana said. PTI, The farmer leader said that the protesters will remain firm in their areas and will not march towards Delhi on Friday.

Meanwhile, a section of traders in Noida has urged the protesting farmers and the government to hold talks for an early resolution of the issue. Sushil Kumar Jain, president of Sector 18 Market Association, Noida, said, “Frequent farmer agitations adversely affect everyday business activities. Citizens have to face unnecessary hassles. Due to closure of transport routes, everyone “The damage is being done.”

“We appeal to the government and farmers to resolve the issues through dialogue and not by disrupting the lives of common citizens,” Jain said.

Amid the standoff between protesters and security personnel at two border points of Punjab and Haryana, three Union ministers reached the venue of talks with farmer leaders in Chandigarh on Thursday evening.

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai are representing the Central government at the meeting on the demands of farmer unions, including a law guaranteeing minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

The meeting is being held at Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration located in Sector 26. Before the arrival of the Union ministers, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reached the venue to be part of the meeting.

This will be the third round of talks between the two sides, the previous two rounds of talks held on February 8 and 12 were inconclusive.

Farmer leaders who participated in the meeting included SKM (non-political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Samiti general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have called for ‘Delhi Chalo’ to put pressure on the Center to accept their demands.