Farmers reject talks with SC expert panel

Leaders of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM-NonPolitical) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have firmly declined participation in talks with the Supreme Court-appointed committee tasked with resolving the ongoing farmers’ agitation and open the NH 44 at Shambhu Border.

- NEERAJ MOHAN

Nearly 40 days after formation of the committee, the farmer leaders in a detailed letter addressed to the committee members, outlined their reasons for rejecting the offer of holding talks with the committee to resolve the issue, citing concerns about the committee’s formation, intent, and the Supreme Court’s handling of farmers’ demands.

The farmers have been staging protests at Sambu, Khanauri, and Ratanpura borders since February 13, for their pending demands including a guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) and loan waivers. The protestors argued that the committee lacks credibility and dismiss the court’s claims that farmers had sought such a panel.