The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) announced on Tuesday that it would not attend the unity dialogue meeting called by SKM. Their leadership will engage in 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' at the protest site in Punjab's Khanauri. SKM has convened the meeting on February 12 for the unity dialogue.
The statement from SKM (Non-Political) contrasts with the announcement from the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), which confirmed its participation in SKM's meeting on Monday.
SKM (Non-Political) and KMM are heading protests at Shambhu and Khanauri borders, demanding legal assurance for Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for crops, among other demands. SKM has invited the two platforms for dialogue in Chandigarh on February 12 to unite for the struggle against the central government.
SKM To Stay Busy with 'Kisan Mahapanchayat'
While speaking to the media on Tuesday, SKM (Non-Political) leader Abhimanyu Kohar announced on January 22 special programs of 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' scheduled on February 11 in Rajasthan's Ratanpura, February 12 at Khanauri, and February 13 at Shambhu, in the backdrop of the existing protest marking its one-year anniversary at Khanauri and Shambhu border points.
They mentioned receiving information about the February 12 meeting from SKM on January 28. Farmer leader Sukjeet Singh Hardojaande noted that SKM should have consulted the two organizations while scheduling their next meeting round since they have already declared their three-day programs for February 11, 12, and 13.
Hardojande expressed that they would be unable to participate in the meeting on February 12 as their leadership will be occupied with the 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' at Khanauri.
KMM leader Sarwan Singh Pandher declared on Monday their participation in the February 12 meeting called by SKM. The two rounds of dialogue involving SKM, SKM (Non-Political), and KMM on January 13 and 18 had been inconclusive due to differences.
SKM is pushing SKM (Non-Political) and KMM to include opposition to the national framework draft on agricultural marketing among their 12-point demands. SKM, which led the anti-farm laws movement in 2020, is not involved in the ongoing protest led by SKM (Non-Political) and KMM.
The central government has invited SKM (Non-Political) and KMM for a discussion regarding their demands at a meeting in Chandigarh on February 14.
Under the banner of SKM (Non-Political) and KMM, farmers have been stationed at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 last year.
Farmers determined to stand firm in pursuit of justice remain stationed at the pivotal protest points.
