Two farmer unions withdraw from agitation

Two farmers' union-the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan and the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) on Wednesday announced their withdrawal from the ongoing farmers' protest on the outskirts of Delhi. Both the unions have condemned the violence that broke out during the tractor parade on Republic Day and said they can't continue with the protest in this manner. Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan leader VM Singh said his organisation is withdrawing from the farmers' protest with immediate effect because the format of the protest in "unacceptable" to it. "We are discontinuing our agitation but our fight for farmers' rights will continue," VM Singh said. "I have nothing to do with the protest which is being led by them and over here being represented by Rakesh Tikait on their behalf," VM Singh said.

Thakur Bhanu Pratap Singh, president of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) said he too is withdrawing from the protest and is pained to see the violence in Delhi. Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) - the umbrella body of the farmer unions protesting at the Delhi border - had also regretted the "undesirable and unacceptable events" and dissociated ourselves from the violence. It had also said that some "anti-social elements had infiltrated the otherwise peaceful movement".Over 300 police personnel were injured in Tuesday's violence and 22 cases have been registered, Delhi Police said. Meanwhile,Samyukt Kisan Morcha, held a meeting at the Singhu border this afternoon, during which they reiterated the "conspiracy" angle and distanced themselves from Tuesday's violence.