Ludhiana, Sept. 19 -- Chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday urged farmers unions to stop holding frequent protests against the state government, saying that he was the "mittar keeda" of farmers (farmer-friendly insect), and they should seek a meeting with him before launching agitations.

Addressing farmers during the inauguration of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Kisan Mela, Mann said he was not in favour of lodging FIRs against farmers for stubble burning.

"Some farmer union leaders must also be sitting here. Please refrain from holding protests so often. At the end of every protest, you demand a meeting with me. But first you sit on a dharna and then ask for a meeting. So why not ask for a meeting first? I am always there t...