Farmers Stopped at Chandigarh Border Ahead of Meeting With Centre, Police Deny Permission to Proceed

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The seventh round of talks between the central government and farmers is going to start today i.e. on March 19, regarding the minimum support price (MSP) on crops and other demands. On behalf of the farmers, 28 farmer leaders are participating under the leadership of Joint Kisan Morcha leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha convenor Sarwan Singh Pandher.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Prahlad Joshi and Piyush Goyal will join the meeting shortly. On behalf of the Punjab government, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudiyan and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema are present.

Before the meeting, farmers moving from Mohali towards Chandigarh were stopped at the border by the Chandigarh Police. The police stopped about 35-40 vehicles from proceeding, saying that the farmers had not received any orders from the authorities to move ahead. After about half an hour, the farmers were allowed to proceed.

Before the meeting, Sarwan Singh Pandher said that some concrete solution should come out of the talks. He said that according to the government data, there are 15 crore farmer families and 60 percent of the country is demanding their rights. Pandher expressed hope that the discussion on the MSP law will move forward. Pandher mentioned that Punjab Police can increase the force on Shambhu and Khanauri border. He said that whether this is a step taken for security or there is some other reason, talks will be held with the government on this.