A day after Samyukt Kisan Morcha, Haryana unit announced to continue their protest at the Delhi-Haryana border till their demands are accepted by the State Government, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday said the Government will invite them (farmers’ unions) to hold talks. “Things will be discussed with them during a meeting,” the Chief Minister told mediapersons in Karnal while responding to a query whether the Government is considering withdrawing cases registered against farmers during the year-long agitation against Central farm laws.
“Their demand (repealing of three central farm laws) has been accepted. I again appeal to them to end their agitation. They have also convened a meeting on December 4 to hold discussion on their ongoing protest,” Khattar said.
His statement came a day after meeting of 26 farmers’ union under the banner of SKM, Haryana at Sonipat, where they had announced to not return to their homes from the agitation site at the Delhi-Haryana border till the State Government accepts their demands of withdrawal of cases against farmers, provide land to construct memorial for 700 martyred farmers and provide compensation and a Government job for families of those died during the year-long agitation against Central farm laws.
The SKM, Haryana had clarified that no official invitation has been received by the farmers’ union for holding talks with the Haryana Government. The farmers’ organisations have also demanded withdrawal of amendment in land acquisition Act and another law which allows the authorities to recover compensation from violent protesters who cause damage to property.
The SKM, spearheading the protest by farmers at Delhi-Haryana border, is expected to announce its future course of action on December 4.
Notably, the State Government has sought data from various districts regarding the cases registered against farmers during the agitation. While the farmers’ leaders have claimed that more than 48000 cases have been registered against them in Haryana, the Chief Minister had said the number given by them is vague.
The farmers had been camping at border points of Delhi — Singhu, Tikri (along Haryana) since November last year. During various protests held across Haryana since the beginning of agitation, the protesting farmers have been booked under sedition, attempt to murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, criminal intimidation, damage to public property among other related charges in various districts of the State.
