After Refusing Centre's MSP Proposal, Punjab Farmers Set To Resume Delhi March Today With Over 1,200 Tractors

Days after rejecting the Centre's Minimum Support Price (MSP) proposal, the Punjab farmers are set to resume their 'Delhi Chalo' protest march today (21 February).

The Haryana police have urged their Punjab counterpart to seize equipment brought by protesters to dismantle police barricades.

Around 14,000 farmers have gathered along the border, with 1,200 tractor trolleys, 300 cars, and 10 mini-buses, India Today reported.

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Meanwhile, Delhi Police are on alert, and have been conducting drills to secure entry points as farmers, stopped at the interstate border since 13 February, are preparing to advance towards the national capital.

Earlier on Tuesday (20 February), the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the Punjab government not to allow the farmers to gather in large numbers.

The court observed that tractor-trolley cannot be run on highways as per the Motor Vehicles Act, and said that the farmers can go to Delhi by bus or using public transport.

The farmer leaders had refused the Centre's proposal that government agencies will procure pulses, maize, and cotton at MSP for five years. 

The offer followed four rounds of talks in Chandigarh between farmer leaders and the government, which was represented by three union ministers, including Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, who has said "unruly elements are trying to hijack talks".

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