Farmers' protest: Bharat Bandh today; meeting with Centre ends in stalemate

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) has called for a Bharat Bandh on February 16 in view of the farmers' protest that entered day four on Friday. 

BKU leader Pawan Khatana said during the Bharat Bandh called by his union, farmers have been asked to strike their work for one day to press the government for demands. "Farmers have been asked to shun work in farms or not go to markets for any purchases tomorrow. Traders and transporters have also been exhorted to join the strike tomorrow," Khatana told PTI. The Noida-based Bharatiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) has also extended support to Friday's Bharat Bandh.

The farmers' march would stay put at the two borders of Punjab and Haryana on Friday.

Meanwhile, the third round of meetings held on Thursday night between the farmers' leaders and the Union Ministers also ended in a stalemate. Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai sat down with the farmer unions. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also joined the meeting at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Sector 26 in Chandigarh. The meeting, which started at around 8:45 pm, lasted for around five hours. 

After the meeting, Munda told reporters that the talks took place in a good atmosphere and there was positive discussion. "Today, a very positive discussion happened between the government and the farmers' unions. Focusing on the topics highlighted by the farmers' union, we have decided that the next meeting will take place on Sunday at 6 pm... We all will find a solution peacefully...," Munda told reporters.

Mann said a detailed discussion between farmer leaders and the government took place and a consensus was reached on several issues. 

"Since the Punjab farmer is affected the most, I came forward as chief of the state. Detailed discussions took place on all the issues. I took up the issue of internet suspension in three districts and its impact on students who are taking their exams. What is their fault? The farmers showed shells fired at them. We said the farmers should not be treated like this," he added. 

He further said that assurances were obtained from the Centre to tell the Haryana government to exercise restraint. "We have told them to tell the Haryana government not to fire ammunition in our jurisdiction," he said.

The farmers were represented by SKM (Non-Political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher.