After Centre's Assurance Anna Hazare Calls Off Hunger Strike for Farmers

NEW DELHI: Social activist Anna Hazare hours after announcing the indefinite hunger strike against the three new farm laws cancelled it after Centres intervention.

According to reports, Hazare announced his decision after the BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and Minister of State (MoS) Agriculture Kailash Choudhary met him at his hometown Ralegan Siddhi.

"It was decided in today's meeting that a committee comprising members from Agriculture Ministry, NITI Aayog and some members recommended by Anna Hazare will make a proposal in the next six months to implement/fulfil Anna Hazare's demands related to farmers," stated a release issued by Anna Hazare's Office.

Earlier, on January 28, Anna Hazare is said to begin his protest over various demands related to farmers in Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra from January 30.

Further, the activist also urged supporters to protest at their respective locations.

Speaking to reporters in his Ralegaon Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra on January 23, Hazare said had been holding protests for cultivators since the last four years, but the government has done nothing to resolve the issues.

"The government is just giving empty promises due to which I do not have any trust left (in the government)...Let's see, what action the Centre takes on my demands. They have sought time for a month, so I have given them time till January-end. If my demands are not met, I will resume my huger strike protest. This would be my last protest," the 83-year-old said.

On December 14, Hazare wrote a letter to Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar warning of a hunger strike if his demands like the implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee's recommendations and granting autonomy to the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), were not accepted.

Hazare had already written a letter to Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, threatening of the hunger strike if his demands, including the implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee's recommendations on agriculture, were not fulfilled.

On the Republic Day, farmers protesting against agricultural reforms breached barricades and clashed with police in the national capital as many as 200 people were detained in connection to the incident.