Farmers Movement Archive

Haryana CM Khattar meets Amit Shah; apprises him of situation in state with regard to farmers' protest

Tribune News ServiceNew Delhi, October 9Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar on Saturday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and apprised him of the law and order situation in the state with regard to the farmers' protest against the three farm laws and the blockades set up by them at Singhu and Tikri borders at the outskirts of Delhi.The meeting took place ahead of the hearing in a case before the Supreme Court against the blockades which is resented by residents of villages adjoining the Singhu and Tikri borders."I have apprised the Home Minister of the farmers' protests and the blockades, and the state government's preparation relating to the hearing of the case in the Supreme Court," Khattar said."We are in talks with the protesting farmers. It would be good if the issue regarding the blockades is amicably resolved," Khattar told reporters after meeting Shah.In response to the allegations by the farmers that the government had set up barricades, Khattar said action might have been taken in view of the prevailing situation.When asked about the possible use of force by the government to remove the blockades, Khattar said it is not proper to think on these lines when talks with the protesting farmers are on."They have also said that they do not want to cause inconvenience to people," Khattar said.He rubbished the allegation by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that paddy stubbles were burnt by farmers in Haryana causing pollution in Delhi."The farmers are coming forward to sell their stubbles and are getting remunerative price. The state government has provided them monetary incentive of Rs 1,000 per acre to sell the stubbles. Private companies have started purchasing the stubbles," Khattar said.He said the paddy procurement in the mandis is going on smoothly. Earlier, a delegation of farmers, traders and shopkeepers of villages adjoining the Kundli-Singhu border in Sonepat district met Khattar and demanded immediate opening of the highway where the farmers have set up blockades.The delegation met Khattar under the banner of Bhartiya Kisan Sangh.They demanded repair of arterial and other smaller roads which have been broken and worn down due to diversion of vehicular traffic, including heavy vehicles due to the blockades.They alleged that the transport of their agricultural produce, trade and business and daily lives had been adversely affected due to the blockades for about a year. "The residents of the villages adjoining Singhu border have lost their patience, and the Union and Haryana government must intervene from their further victimisation," the delegation members told Khattar.

The Tribune

2021-10-09