Farmers on Monday blocked the Delhi-Haryana national highway in Kurukshetra district of Haryana as they marched towards Delhi in a protest over not getting the minimum support price (MSP) for procurement of sunflower seeds. Farmer leaders at the mahapanchayat have accused the central government of its “anti-farmer” policies and condemned the usage of police action against them.

Traffic was disrupted on the Delhi-Chandigarh National Highway (NH-44) this afternoon as farmers gathered there after holding "MSP Dilao, Kisan Bachao” mahapanchayat in Kurukshetra to press for MSP. Apart from leaders of various khaps and Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait, Olympic medal-winning wrestler Bajrang Punia, one of the grapplers at the forefront of the wrestlers' protest against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, were present at the mahapanchayat.

Notably, farmer leaders from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, among others, have been supporting the protesting wrestlers in the fight against sexual harassment.?

The mahapanchayat was called by Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni), was being held at a grain market in Pipli close to National Highway-44 which was blocked by farmers a few days ago demanding that the government procure sunflower seed at MSP. After the mahapanchayat the farmers started marching towards the highway.?

Earlier on June 6, farmers led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni clashed with police after they blocked the national highway near Shahabad for over six hours demanding that the government procure sunflower seeds at MSP.?

Police used water cannons and resorted to lathicharge to disperse the protesters. Nine BKU (Charuni) leaders, including its president, were arrested over various charges, including rioting and unlawful assembly.

Elaborate police arrangements have been made to prevent any untoward incident. BKU leaders held a meeting with senior police officials on Sunday night to ensure that the mahapanchayat is held smoothly.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had on Saturday released Rs 29.13 crore as interim compensation to 8,528 farmers for sunflowers grown on 36,414 acres. The farmers are demanding that the state government procure sunflowers at an MSP of Rs 6,400 per quintal.

Under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana -- price difference payment scheme -- the state government is giving Rs 1,000 per quintal as interim support for sunflower crop sold below MSP.