Today (16 February) marks the fourth day of the Delhi march of Punjab farmers. Farmer Gyan Singh, resident of Gurdaspur reportedly died due to a heart attack. This was the first case of a death in this movement.
In the same light, an SI of Haryana GRP (Police) posted at Shambhu border died. The employee has been identified as Hiralal (resident of village Chulkana, Panipat). His posting was in GRP Samalkha post. Recently his duty was in Ambala due to the farmers' movement. It is being reported that he died due to suffocation due to tear gas shells.
Meanwhile, the third round of talks between farmer leaders and Union Ministers in Chandigarh on Thursday also remained inconclusive. However, sources say that the talks were 'positive' in nature. The meeting lasted for about 5 and a half hours late into the night. According to sources, the government proposed to form a committee to make a law on MSP, which would have representatives from both farmers and the government. Farmer leaders however, remained adamant on MSP guarantee. Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, Nityanand Rai along with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann were also present in the meeting.
Now another meeting will be held again on Sunday 18 February at 6 pm. Till then both sides have assured to maintain peace.
Punjab Congress leaders detained by Chandigarh Police:
Chandigarh Police detained Punjab Congress leaders who were protesting outside the Haryana BJP office over the farmers' issue. Police argue that Section 144 has been imposed in Chandigarh. In such a situation, such demonstrations cannot be arranged. Police are escorting all the Congress leaders to Sector 11 police station in a bus.