Farmers' Feb 12 'unity talks' hit fresh roadblock

Faction led by Pandher and Dallewal yet to respond to SKM's invite for meeting

- Karam Prakash

PATIALA: The unity talks called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) in Chandigarh on February 12 have run into choppy waters with the protesting unions, SKM (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, failing to respond to the SKM's invite.

As per people in know of the matter, the SKM had sent out the invites on January 26. SKM leader Raminder Patiala confirmed, "We are still awaiting response from both unions."

Sources added that a six-member committee of the SKM, specially formed to hold unity talks with protesting unions, is likely to meet on Monday to decide the further course of action. SKM (non-political) and KMM have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13 last year. The farmers pitched their tents there after security forces refused to allow them to march to Delhi to press for their various demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for their crops.