Indian farmers who are calling for higher prices for their crops revealed on Friday that they have called off their protest march to New Delhi until Sunday when their unions are scheduled to meet with government officials again.
After meeting with representatives of farmers late on Thursday, along with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Deputy Interior Minister Nityanand Rai, Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda told reporters that the negotiations were “positive” and that “we believe we will all find a solution together peacefully.”
The farmers will postpone their march for the time being, according to movement leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal.
“When the meetings have started, if we move forward (towards Delhi) then how will meetings happen?” Dallewal said, adding that the protest “will continue peacefully”.
Thousands of farmers had embarked on the “Delhi Chalo”, or “Let’s go to Delhi” march earlier this week to press the government to set a minimum price for their produce, but they were stopped by security forces about 200 kms (125 miles) away from the capital, triggering clashes.
Union leaders said a 63-year-old farmer, who was among those camped at the site, died of a heart attack early on Friday. A state police officer said they had received information about a farmer’s death and are looking into it.
The protests have erupted a few months before India is due to hold national elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term. Farmers are an influential voting bloc.
The farmers remained camped on the border between Punjab and Haryana states on Friday. Security forces have used concrete and metal barricades, as well as drones carrying tear gas canisters, to stop them for advancing.
The protest comes two years after Modi’s government, following a similar protest movement, repealed some farm laws and promised to find ways to ensure support prices for all produce.
