Farmers Protest: The third round of discussions between Union ministers and farmers advocating for increased crop prices commenced Thursday evening following two days of extensive demonstrations. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai engaged in dialogue with representatives from 17 agricultural organizations.Farmers Protest: Farmers persist despite previous talksPrevious negotiations failed to secure a commitment from the government regarding minimum support prices, prompting farmers to proceed with their Delhi Chalo march.Farmers Protest: Standoff at state bordersEfforts by farmers to advance towards New Delhi were thwarted at the Punjab-Haryana border, where authorities employed tear gas and erected barricades. Demonstrators awaited the outcome of the talks while police monitored the situation.Farmers Protest: Peaceful protest amidst talksA group of 100 farmers volunteered to maintain peace during the discussions, expressing their intent to refrain from escalating actions until negotiations concluded.Farmers Protest: Solidarity and future plansAt a farmers gathering in Sisai village, Hisar district, farmers expressed support for the ongoing protests and announced plans to mobilize tractors towards the Khanauri border on February 18.Farmers Protest: Bharat bandh and toll-free zonesThe Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni) declared toll plazas in Haryana, specific regions of Punjab, and Western Uttar Pradesh toll-free from 12 noon to 3 pm on the following day. Plans for tractor marches in every tehsil were announced to demonstrate solidarity with fellow protestors.Farmers Protest: Haryana governments responseThe Haryana government extended the suspension of mobile internet services in seven districts until February 17 due to the ongoing protests. This marks the third extension of mobile internet shutdowns in districts along the Punjab border, aimed at maintaining public safety amidst escalating tensions.The districts affected by the extended suspension include Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa, according to a home department order.
