Farmers Movement Archive

Talk to farmers without riders, says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: CM Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday urged the Centre to hold talks "immediately and unconditionally" with the protesting farmers at Delhi-Haryana borders at Singhu and Tikri. The farmers' protests have received support from Aam Aadmi Party and Delhi government has also arranged for tents, water, mobile toilets, meals and other facilities at Sant Nirankari Samagam ground. Delhi Police had offered the site to the farmers, but only a few of the demonstrators had moved in, preferring the border points. "The central government should talk to farmers immediately and without any conditions," Kejriwal tweeted. "There should not be any terms and conditions pertaining to deliberations with the farmers," said Delhi home minister, Satyendar Jain, commenting on the Union home minister's directions that the Centre will speak with the farmers once they reach the designated spot for demonstrations. Jain said that the farmers' problems should not be ignored. "They are our providers and should be tended to immediately, and be allowed to carry out their peaceful protest. We have to respect the efforts they have made to come from their homes all the way to Delhi to voice their opinion," he said. Regarding the lack of oxygen supply in Delhi due to the agitation that has affected movement at border points, Jain said: "There was an initial hiccup for a few hours, but it was resolved immediately and supply was restored. The oxygen supply comes from Rajasthan and is a life-saving necessity. Therefore, it will be made available in abundance." On Friday, Jain had rejected Delhi Police's request to use the nine stadiums in the city as temporary prisons in view of the "Delhi Chalo" protest march. Jain had written that Delhi government was against putting farmers into prisons. He had further commented that the farmers' protest was peaceful and non-violent and demonstrations were the constitutional right of every law-abiding citizen of the country. Before the request was officially rejected by Delhi government, several AAP MLAs had also requested the government to deny permission. On Saturday, Jain had also said that Delhi government was facilitating the visit of the farmers and all necessary amenities will be taken care of. The north district administration opened a Covid testing centre at the ground on Saturday, which was followed by a massive temporary hall put up for meetings, tented accommodations, mobile toilets, installation of a high-mast, amidst visits by AAP functionaries and Delhi government officials. Watch Farmers' protest: Centre must hold unconditional talks, says Kejriwal

The Times of India

2020-11-30

Delhi