Farmers from Nashik throng Mumbai's Azad Maidan to support ongoing farm laws agitation

Thousands of farmers from Nashik protesting against three Agri laws enacted by Centre reached Mumbai on Sunday evening ahead of rally planned to be held on January 26. farmers marched from Nashik to Mumbai to take part in Kisan-Mazdoor Parade which is slated to be held on January 26, to express solidarity with farmers protesting against Centre at borders of national capital. protesting farmers have thronged Azad Maidan in Mumbai where sit-in protest will continue until parade. 

As per PTI, police have stepped up security at Azad Maidan and several companies of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) have been deployed at site. Previously, All India Kisan Sabha's (AIKS) Maharashtra unit had said that around 15,000 farmers had set out for state capital from Nashik on Saturday in several tempos and or vehicles. NCP chief Sharad Pawar and or prominent leaders of ruling government in Maharashtra are expected to address protesting farmers on Monday. 

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" rally is being held to support and expand two-month-long farmers' struggle in Delhi for a repeal of three farm laws and for a central law to guarantee a remunerative Minimum Support Price (MSP) and procurement all over country," AIKS statement said.

Ahead of massive rally planned in support of agitating farmers in Delhi, security has been tightened at Azad Maidan. Apart from Mumbai Police, nine platoons of SRPF and an additional police force comprising of 100 police officers and 500 constables has also been deployed. 

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Tractor rally in Delhi on Republic Day 

While addressing a press conference on Sunday, Delhi Police anunced that farmers had been given permission to carry ir 'Kisan tractor rally' on Republic Day, adding that Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) would be deployed for additional security on January 26. "From last 2 months protest is going on. y (farmers) wanted a tractor rally on 26th January. Delhi police talked with Kisan Sanyukt Morcha and almost 5-6 times we held long discussions," said Special CP intelligence, Delhi police Deependra Pathak.

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Farmers' unions and Centre failed to reach a middle ground on Friday as 11th round of discussion ended inconclusively. While meeting on Friday lasted for nearly five hours, farmers representatives have said that discussions were held for less than 30 minutes. date has been fixed for next round of meeting.

Moreover, sources have informed that during meeting on Wednesday, Union Government expressed that it has provided unions with all possible options. Centre also expressed that farmers' unions must deliberate internally and reach a conclusion before intimating government of ir decision for next round of discussion. development comes a day after agitating unions rejected government's proposal to hold off three farm laws for 1.5 years and ensure a clause-wise discussion by an inclusive committee. 

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