Farmers protest: Punjab CM meets Union home minister and other developments

NEW DELHI: Amid the escalating protests around Delhi, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday met Union home minister Amit Shah at the latter's residence and requested him to help resolve the current impasse between the Centre and farmers over the new agri laws. Here are the latest developments:
Farm leaders meet Union ministers at Vigyan Bhawan
Farmer leaders arrived at Vigyan Bhawan for another round of talks with the government on farm laws. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, ahead of the meeting said, "I'm hoping for a positive outcome." Tomar along with Union minister Piyush Goyal are meeting the representatives of the agitating farmers for a second time since the protests began a week ago.

There's nothing for me to resolve: Punjab CM
Following his meeting with Amit Shah, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh said, "Discussion is going on between farmers and Centre, there's nothing for me to resolve. I reiterated my opposition in my meeting with the Union home minister and requested him to resolve the issue as it affects the economy of my state and security of the nation." The Punjab chief minister and his Congress party have been supporting the farmers protest against the new laws. The Punjab assembly had also passed a set of bills aimed at negating the Centre's farm legislation.
Punjab CM stressing the need to protect MSP and continue with the APMC-based Mandi system urged home minister to listen to the farmers with an open mind, said a statement from Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

Former Punjab CM returns Padma Vibhushan
Former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal returns Padma Vibhushan protesting against "the betrayal of the farmers by govt of India." He said, I am fully devoted to farmers as what I got in life was due to support from farmers. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also returned his Padma Bhushan.
Punjab announces compensation for farmers who died during protests
The chief minister announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the two farmers, hailing from districts Mansa and Moga respectively, who died during ongoing farm law protests.
Farmers flag six points ahead of Thursday's meeting
Farm groups under the banner of Samyukt Kisan Morcha coordination committee held marathon meetings on Wednesday to prepare a detailed note for Thursday’s huddle, flagging six points in their letter to Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar. The unions said they won’t agree to any compromise on MSP of crops and complete purchase of grains by state procurement agencies.
Farmers demand a special parliament session
The demand for a special Parliament session has deepened the deadlock, further shrinking the middle ground between the government and farmers groups. Darshanpal, president of Krantikari Kisan Union (KKU), one of the 32 farm unions of Punjab, said, "We call for burning of effigies across the country to protest against the Modi government and corporate houses on December 5 if there will not be any solution in the meeting on Thursday.”

Several Delhi routes remain closed
To prevent protesting farmers from entering the capital, police have already closed the Delhi-Haryana border points at Singhu, Tikri, Jharoda and Jhatikra. Besides Badusarai border being open for two-wheelers, others open for driving into Haryana are Dhansa, Daurala, Kapashera, Rajokri NH-8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera. The traffic police have asked motorists to avoid Outer Ring Road from Signature Bridge to Rohini, GT Karnal Road, NH 44 and Singhu, Auchandi and Lampur borders. NH-9 stretch on Delhi-Meerut expressway from UP to Delhi blocked by farmers.

Centre may agree to some demands
Farm groups get feelers government might tweak laws on MSP and APMC’ Sources told TOI that farm groups received feelers from the Centre that it may halt provision of fine up to Rs 1 crore and imprisonment of up to five years under the provisions of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and may even put on hold the proposed Electricity Bill 2020. It was indicated the Centre would also agree to some amendments in the three laws, especially pertaining to MSP and APMC.
Men at stir, women tend to farms
At a crucial point in the farm cycle, the men had to leave and head Delhi to participate in the forests. Knowing that back home, holding the fort, are the women. In Punjab and Haryana, this is a relatively open period in the farming cycle — paddy has been harvested and wheat has been sown. In UP, however, the cane harvest season is just beginning. And it’s right in the middle of the wheat sowing season. Women tending to the farmlands are being assisted by 20-year-old college-going girls.

Ambala group to sow wheat for agitating farmers
Some farmers of Tundla and Talheri villages in Ambala district of Haryana on Wednesday formed a Kisan Sewa Dal to sow wheat and look after the fields of those peasants who are at the Delhi protest. Gurjatan Singh Billu of Tundla will lead the group, the farmers announced at Ambala Cantonment. The group will look after the protesters’ families in the district.

Farmers hold havan for ‘good sense’ to prevail
The farmers protesting at UP Gate organised a havan on Wednesday to pray for ‘good sense’ to prevail in the government. Members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), who are at the forefront of the protest, have also decided to hold a mahapanchayat on Thursday and then decide on the next course of action.