haryana-minister-aseem-urges-centre-to-talk-to-farmers

Haryana Minister of State for Transport Aseem Goel has urged Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to convince protesting farmers to open the Shambhu border near Ambala, looking at the sufferings being faced by layman. The border has been sealed for 141 days. Meeting Chouhan in New Delhi on Tuesday, Goel emphasised the need for the central government to engage in discussions with the farmers to resolve the issue.

The farmers have been protesting at the Shambhu border since February 13, demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support price for crops. The protest has caused difficulties for the general public and traders, who are finding it hard to conduct their business due to the closure of the border.

Goel, who is also the BJP MLA from Ambala City, told Chouhan that opening the border would provide relief to the locals and facilitate easier business operations for traders.

However, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher claimed that the government had blocked the highway, not the farmers. He said that the national highway had been blocked by the Haryana and central governments by putting up barricades, and requested the government to open the road. Pandher also said that the protest would continue until the demands of the farmers are met.

"We have heard about the statement of Haryana transport minister. He said due to the morcha (protest) of farmers at Shambhu, the road has been blocked."

"During the Haryana minister's meeting with the Union agriculture minister, he said the Centre should engage in discussions with farmers, which is a good thing. But the allegation he levelled that the highway has been blocked due to farmers' protests is a lie. The national highway had been blocked by the Haryana and central governments by putting up barricades. We request the government that the road should be opened," he said.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are leading the 'Delhi Chalo' march by farmers to press the government to accept their demands. The farmers have been staying put at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, when their march was stopped by security forces.