The North News
Chandigarh, March 19
Punjab police have detained key farmer leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher after their meeting with central government officials in Chandigarh, which ended without a breakthrough. The seventh round of negotiations between farmers and the Centre lasted nearly four hours but failed to reach a resolution. As Dallewal and Pandher returned to the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, where farmers have been protesting, they were taken into custody. The clashes also broke out between police and demonstrators during the detentions. Meanwhile, internet services at the Khanauri border have been suspended.
Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Piyush Goyal, and Pralhad Joshi attended the meeting, along with Punjab Ministers Lal Chand Kataruchak and Gurmeet Singh Khudian. Farmers are demanding a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP), loan waivers, pensions for farmers and agricultural workers, a halt to electricity tariff hikes, and the withdrawal of cases against protesters.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said talks were held in a “constructive environment,” with another round of discussions scheduled for 4 May. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Centre has appointed an officer to facilitate further negotiations.
However, farmers remain firm on their demands, including justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence and compensation for families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 protests.
