A planned protest march to New Delhi by Indian farmers demanding greater prices for their crops has been postponed until after unions meet with government ministers again on Sunday.
In a meeting with farmers’ representatives on Thursday with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda reported “positive” discussions.
“We’ve decided that Sunday at 6 p.m. will be the next meeting to continue the conversation.We’re certain that we can all work together to find a peaceful settlement,” he said to reporters after the meeting on Thursday.
Reporters were also told by protest organiser Jagjit Singh Dallewal that the farmers would postpone their march for the time being.
“When the meetings have started, if we move forward (towards Delhi) then how will meetings happen?” Reporters were informed by Dallewal that the demonstration “will continue peacefully”.
Earlier this week, thousands of farmers began the “Delhi Chalo,” or “Let’s go to Delhi,” march in an attempt to pressure the government into setting a minimum price for their produce. However, security authorities stopped them roughly 200 kilometres (125 miles) outside of the capital, sparking confrontations.
A few months prior to India’s scheduled national elections, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is running for a third term, demonstrations broke out. Farmers make up a significant voting group.
On Friday, the farmers stayed set up along the boundary between the states of Punjab and Haryana. To prevent them from moving forward, security personnel have deployed metal and concrete obstacles in addition to drones equipped with tear gas canisters.
The demonstration takes place two years after the Modi administration removed some farm laws and pledged to find a mechanism to guarantee support prices for all products in response to a similar protest movement.
Furthermore, the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police enforced Section 144 in the district, prohibiting unapproved public gatherings, due to the bandh. In order to minimise disruption, the police have also advised residents to use the metro train service “as far as possible” and have issued a warning to commuters travelling to and from the capital city of Delhi of traffic diversions in Noida.
Along with outlawing the carrying of weapons in public spaces, the order also forbids the use of private drones within a kilometre of government buildings and objects like sticks, rods, tridents, swords, and similar weapons.
