Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:14pm on 13 Feb 2024,Tuesday India
Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan firmly refutes claims of involvement in the release of eight Indian Navy veterans from Qatar, attributing the success solely to the Indian government. Denying assertions by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, Khan's office states that diplomatic matters are best handled by government officials. The veterans, jailed for 18 months on alleged spying charges, returned to India on Monday. PM Modi's personal intervention is lauded by one of the released veterans. The Ministry of External Affairs appreciates Qatar's decision enabling the release. Khan, like many Indians, expresses happiness over the safe return of the naval officers.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:43pm on 13 Feb 2024,Tuesday India
Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were briefed on the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) at Singhu Border amidst ongoing farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest. Asserting, "If farmers are aggressive, they don't need to be defensive either," police aim to prevent farmers from breaching barricades and entering the national capital on tractors. Instructions include using tear gas to disperse protesters. Over 5,000 personnel, including paramilitary forces, are deployed at Tikri, Singhu, and Ghazipur borders. Farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab demand Minimum Support Price law. At the Haryana border, police used tear gas against protesters attempting to breach barricades.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 11:23am on 13 Feb 2024,Tuesday India
The Punjab and Haryana High Court emphasized that "the issue should be resolved amicably and the use of force should be the last resort" in the ongoing farmers' protest, urging all parties to prioritize dialogue over force. Hearing petitions regarding the protest at Delhi's borders, the court stressed the balance between protesters' rights and citizens' convenience, noting that "There has to be balance in the fundamental right to speech and expression." It called for collaborative efforts from the state and central governments to identify protest sites, highlighting the importance of addressing farmers' grievances regarding Minimum Support Price (MSP) laws. As farmers mobilize towards Delhi, the court's directive underscores the significance of resolving the dispute through constructive dialogue. The next hearing is scheduled for February 15.
#WATCH | Protesting farmers forcibly remove the cement barricade with their tractors as they try to cross over the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border. pic.twitter.com/gIyGNy8wsi
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2024
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 09:12am on 13 Feb 2024,Tuesday India
Tensions escalate at the Punjab-Haryana border as farmers attempting to cross barricades face tear gas shelling. Visuals show chaotic scenes as drones drop smoke bombs to disperse the crowd. Over one lakh farmers from neighboring states march towards Delhi for the 'Delhi Chalo' protest, reminiscent of the 2020/21 demonstrations. Despite partial agreements, farmers demand assurance on MSP and other key issues. Police fortify border crossings, leading to traffic jams, while protests intensify within Delhi. Government faces scrutiny as farmer leaders accuse them of unfulfilled promises. With negotiations yielding no resolution, farmers vow to continue their march until demands are met.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:54am on 13 Feb 2024,Tuesday India
Supreme Court Bar Association appeals to CJI Chandrachud for suo motu action on farmers' protest causing disruptions, urges courts to refrain from adverse rulings due to lawyer absences. Amid escalating tensions, CJI acknowledges traffic issues and promises accommodation for lawyers affected by the protest. The protest, demanding MSP and other agricultural reforms, prompts heightened security at Delhi borders. Despite government efforts and proposed talks, SCBA expresses concern over potential inconvenience to the public and calls for farmers to protest in their hometowns. The letter underscores challenges faced by lawyers in attending court proceedings amidst ongoing disruptions.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:02am on 13 Feb 2024,Tuesday India
Thousands of farmers, undeterred by barricades and fortified borders, are marching towards Delhi equipped with six months' worth of ration and diesel to sustain their protest. Amid demands for a minimum support price (MSP) and other agricultural reforms, farmers vow to continue their demonstration until their grievances are addressed. Harbhajan Singh, a farmer from Gurdaspur, emphasized their resolve, recalling the 13-month protest in 2020. Despite partial agreements with the government, unresolved issues persist, prompting the determined farmers to press on. With Delhi fortified and traffic disruptions evident, the farmers' march symbolizes a steadfast resistance to policies affecting their livelihoods.
#WATCH | Police fire tear gas to disperse protesting farmers at Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border. pic.twitter.com/LNpKPqdTR4
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2024
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:24am on 13 Feb 2024,Tuesday India
Tensions escalate as Haryana police fire tear gas shells at protesters at the Shambhu border, marking a violent turn in the farmers' Chalo Delhi march. Despite AAP government's solidarity with farmers, clashes intensify, with Kisan Mazdoor Morcha coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher urging Haryana farmers to continue the protest. Criticizing the fortification of borders, Pandher compares Haryana to Kashmir. In response, Congress President Kharge accuses the Modi government of dictatorial tactics, condemning the use of force against farmers. Delhi government rejects converting Bawana stadium into a jail, advocating dialogue. As protests persist, solidarity grows among farmers and supporters against contentious agricultural laws.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:25am on 13 Feb 2024,Tuesday India
The farmers' protest gained momentum as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government firmly rejected the Centre's proposal to convert Bawana stadium into a makeshift jail, amidst heavy security measures at the Punjab-Haryana and Haryana-Delhi borders. Led by farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, protesters likened the border fortifications to international boundaries, causing major traffic disruptions in Delhi. Dismissing Congress's support, Pandher emphasized the non-partisan nature of the movement, appealing to all citizens for solidarity. Meanwhile, Delhi government urged the Centre to engage in dialogue with farmers, acknowledging their grievances and advocating for peaceful resolution. Despite mounting tensions, Delhi continues to stand in solidarity with the farmers.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:34pm on 12 Feb 2024,Monday India
After a six-hour meeting with Union ministers in Chandigarh, farmers' leaders express dissatisfaction, accusing the government of insincerity. Tractor-trolleys depart from Punjab towards Delhi as talks fail to yield results on key demands including MSP guarantee law. Despite agreement on withdrawing cases against protestors, unresolved issues prompt planned march. Massive police deployment and barricading in Delhi's Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur borders as over 200 farmer unions mobilize. Traffic disruptions and intensified security measures reported. Leaders lament detentions of supporting farmers from other states, alleging contradictions in dialogue and actions by the Centre. Prospects for resolution remain uncertain.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:21pm on 12 Feb 2024,Monday India
As farmers' groups Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha announce a 'Delhi Chalo' march demanding MSP law, Union ministers engage in discussions to dissuade them. Tractors from Punjab join the planned march, while Haryana strengthens border security with concrete blocks and iron nails. Paramilitary forces and drones deployed in Haryana and Delhi borders to prevent protester entry. Noida Police warns of traffic pressure, and a petition challenges border sealing in Punjab and Haryana High Court. Karnataka CM condemns arrest of state farmers en route to Delhi. The situation intensifies as protests escalate.