The central government will meet the farmers’ representatives on Thursday even as scores of protesters continued to stay put at the borders of Punjab and Haryana on the second day of their Delhi Chalo march.
Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher a meeting will be held in Chandigarh at 5 pm on Thursday to resolve the issue peacefully.
“If the Centre comes up with a solution, then we are ready. We don't want any kind of conflict. We want to resolve all issues through dialogue. The meeting with the Centre will be held at 5 pm tomorrow. We are saying again, that tomorrow also we will sit peacefully," he said.
While it’s not clear who will represent the central government, The Hindu reported that union ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal and Nityanand Rai will attend the meeting with the farmer leaders.
Pandher had earlier requested government to stop using tear gas and other forces against the protesters and create a cordial atmosphere.
"Police used SLR bullets, tear gas, plastic and rubber bullets to disperse our farmers. These kinds of actions are not acceptable. The way they are making our perception in the media is not right. They are putting the tag of Khalistani, calling us the supporter of Congress and Punjab government, which is not correct," he said.
Minister Munda, who has already been negotiating with the protesting farmers, told news agency ANI that the government had assured the protesters that all administrative works related to their demands would be fast-tracked.
“We have assured them that all the works of administrative nature will be fast-tracked. But in the formulation of new laws, there are so many things to consider. In the coming days, we want to discuss with the farmers' organisations and look for any possible solutions," he said.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police has deployed its personnel in large numbers in the national capital in view of the farmers’ protest. Multiple layers of barricades, concrete blocks, iron nails and container walls have been placed at the city's border points Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri to thwart the farmers' march.
The farmers are demanding a law on minimum support price, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, withdrawal of police cases and "justice" for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence among others.
