Farmers' Protest: SKM Observes 'Black' Friday, No NSA Against Farmer Leaders

In a show of support to the farmers' Delhi Chalo march, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which was not a part of the agitation so far, announced on Thursday that farmers will observe a 'black day' on Friday in the country to mourn the death of a protester who died two days back in clashes with cops at the Punjab-Haryana border.

The SKM, which spearheaded the 2020-21 farm agitation against the now-repealed farm laws, is not part of the Delhi Chalo agitation, but has extended support to it. The current 'Delhi Chalo' protest, which started on February 13, has been called by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.

ALSO READ | Farmers' Protest: SKM To Observe 'Black Day' Today, Hold Tractor Rallies On Feb 26

The SKM said farmers will take out tractor marches on highways on February 26 and hold an All India All Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on March 14.

Farmers' 'Black Day' Protest | Key Updates

-Farmers Temporarily Paused 'Dilli Chalo' March Till 29th February: The farmers on Friday announced the decision to suspend the ‘Dilli Chalo’ march till February 29 and announced a candle march on Saturday and burning of Centre's effigies two days later. With the deadlock between the protesting farmers and the central government continuing, the farmer leaders said that the decision on further course of action will be taken after February 29.

Addressing a press conference at Khaneri border on Friday evening, farmer leader Sarban Singh Pandher said further strategy for the demonstration will be announced on February 29.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Ekta leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said that they would stage a protest if the Punjab government doesn't file an FIR on the death of farmer Subhkaran Singh.

-Haryana Police Seizes Assets Of Protesting Farmers: The Haryana Police has taken steps to seize the assets of protesting farmers who caused damage to public property during the ongoing 'Dilli Chalo' protest. This action follows the retraction of an earlier decision to invoke the National Security Act against certain farm leaders. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) are leading the march to push the government to meet their demands, which include a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price for crops and a farm loan waiver.

According to an official statement, the Haryana Police will pursue compensation for damages by seizing protesters' properties and bank accounts. Officials reported continuous attempts by farmers to breach barricades along the state border, along with incidents of stone pelting and disorderly conduct. The statement noted damage to both government and private properties, as well as injuries to 30 policemen.

Haryana Police Withdraws Move To Invoke NSA Against Farmer Leaders: The Haryana Police on Friday said it was withdrawing its earlier decision to invoke provisions of the National Security Act (NSA) against some farmer leaders who are part of the ongoing farmers' agitation.

This came a a day after Ambala police issued a statement saying that it was implementing the process of detaining office bearers of the protesting farmer outfits under section 2(3) of the National Security Act, 1980, to maintain law and order and prevent criminal activities.

Haryana Police clarified on Friday that "the matter of invoking provisions of the National Security Act on few farm union leaders of Ambala district has been reconsidered and it has been decided that the same will not be invoked."

He also appealed to the protesting farmers and their leaders to maintain peace and cooperate with authorities in maintaining law and order.

Punjab CM Mann Announces Rs 1 Cr Compensation For Slain Protester: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job for the sister of farmer Shubhkaran Singh who died at the Khanauri border point on Wednesday.

"The family of Shubhkaran Singh, who got martyred during the farmer's movement on the Khanauri border, will be given financial assistance of Rs 1 crore by the Punjab government and a government job to his younger sister. Due legal action will be taken against culprits," Mann said in a post in Punjabi.

Farmer leaders were demanding financial compensation for the kin of Singh and a government job for a member of his family, besides registration of a case against those who were responsible for his death.

They had also demanded "martyr" status for Singh, who hailed from Ballo village in Bathinda.

-Black Day Protest Today, Mega Tractor March On Feb 26: Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) which is a farmers' outfit under SKM, said farmers will take out tractor marches on highways on February 26 and hold an All India All Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on March 14.

The SKM, which was not a part of the 'Delhi Chalo' march so far, has formed a six-member committee, including Rajewal, Ugrahan, Darshan Pal, for coordinating with the breakaway faction -- Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) -- for fighting unitedly for the cause.

-SKM Demands Murder FIR Against Haryana CM Khattar: The SKM on Thursday demanded that Haryana Chief Minister and the Haryana Home Minister be booked for the "murder" of a protesting farmer on the Punjab-Haryana border on Wednesday.

ALSO READ | ‘Dilli Chalo': Why Are Farmers Protesting Again And What Are Their Demands?

Subhkaran Singh, 21, a native of Bathinda, had died Wednesday amid clashes between Haryana Police and Punjab farmers.

The incident took place when the farmers rushed to the barricades, several layers of which have been erected by Haryana authorities to prevent farmers from proceeding with their march, and clashed with police.

SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said a case of "murder" should be registered against Khattar and Vij and the two must resign. Farmer leaders also demanded a judicial inquiry by a judge of the Supreme Court in the matter and Rs 1 crore in compensation to the farmer's family.

-Protesting Noida Farmers Call Off Feb 23 Delhi March: Friday's proposed "Delhi march" of protesting farmers in Noida and Greater Noida was called off by the protesters after their meeting with the local administration and the police.

The announcement on Thursday came a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered formation of a three-member committee to look into the issue and resolve the woes of the farmers, who are demanding higher compensation and developed plots in lieu of their land acquired by the government in the past.

Thousands of farmers from around 200 villages, who are protesting against the local authorities in Noida and Greater Noida, and the National Thermal Power Corporation (Dadri), had on February 8 made an unsuccessful attempt to go to Parliament to press for their demands but were stopped at the Delhi border here by the police.

-What Are Farmers Demanding: The protesting farmers are demanding a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) for crops. The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha was spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo' agitation along with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), a breakaway faction of the umbrella body of farmer unions Samyukta Kisan Morcha.

Apart from MSP, farmers are advocating for the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pension for farmers and laborers, farm debt waiver, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases, justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21.