Bharat Bandh live updates: No talks between govt & farmers on Wednesday, says farmer leader after meeting with Shah

Expecting support from large sections of the people across the country for the Bharat Bandh called by them, farmer leaders assured on Monday that the closure would be “peaceful” and its aim was to send a message to the government that the protest was a national movement.

Farmers who are protesting against the three newly enacted farm laws have been misguided, said Kanwal Singh Chauhan, President, Progressive Farmers Club, Sonipat who has lent support to these new laws.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the administration and police officers to make adequate arrangements and ensure that the common people do not face any inconvenience during the "Bharat Bandh" call for Tuesday given by farmers agitating against the new agricultural sector laws.

PM Modi on Monday said reforms are needed for development and some laws from the past century have become a burden now. He said this while inaugurating the construction of Agra metro rail project through video conference.

A day before their Bharat bandh, farm unions said on Monday they were firm on not allowing any political leader on stage during the protests, which would be observed “peacefully” and without disturbing ambulance and emergency services.

Chief minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani on Monday said the state is not supporting Bharat Bandh call made by farmers and if anyone tries to close shops and other establishments forcefully then strict action will be taken against them.

Slamming Congress, NCP and other parties over their stance on farm laws and support to the December 8 'Bharat Bandh', Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday claimed that some of themhad earlier favoured reforms in the agriculture sector. Chouhan, who addressed a press conference here, said NCP leader Sharad Pawar, who was union agriculture minister in 2011 in the then UPA government, had written to him , saying that "there is a need to amend the present APMC Act..." in the interests of farmers and consumers.

"The primary objective of these arrangements is to maintain public peace and order, prevent any kind of violence, maintain supply of essential items and to facilitate the functioning of traffic and public transport system across the state. The instructions in force due to Covid-19 pandemic situation have also been kept in mind," Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Navdeep Singh Virk.

“As part of the bandh, farmers' unions may organise dharnas, demonstrations, rallies and road and rail blockades in 16 states. Some opposition political parties, left parties and their frontal organisations, central trade unions and transporters have extended their support to the bandh,” Director general, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Arun Kumar said.