“Farmers to Resume ‘Dilli Chalo’ March from Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border, Demanding Legal MSP Guarantee. Delhi Borders Reinforced with Tight Security and Barricades Ahead of Protest.”
Key Highlights
- Heightened Security: Punjab-Haryana borders see tight security as farmers plan to resume their march to Delhi.
- Protest Details: Farmers, stationed at Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 13, will march to Parliament on Friday, demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP) and addressing other key issues.
- Past Attempts: Previous attempts to march to Delhi were thwarted by police.
The protest, set to begin at 1 PM from the Shambhu border, has prompted heavy barricading and increased police presence. Authorities in Ambala have also banned gatherings of five or more people to maintain order.
“Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced that the march will proceed on foot instead of using tractors. Approximately 100 farmers are expected to start the march from the Shambhu border.”
“We have been protesting here for the past eight months. To counter claims that our tractors are modified, we have decided to march to Delhi on foot,” said farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher. He noted that the farmers’ movement has garnered support from khap panchayats and the business community.
The farmers, primarily demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP) on crops, previously attempted marches to Delhi on February 13 and 21 but were stopped by security forces at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders on the Punjab-Haryana boundary. Since then, they have been camping at these border points under the banners of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.
Farmers’ March Highlights Stalled Talks and Renewed Demands
The march follows months of stalled communication with the central government. “In February, we held four rounds of talks, but there have been no discussions since February 18,” said farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, urging the government to reopen dialogue to address farmers’ grievances.
Impact on Delhi-NCR Traffic
Residents of Delhi-NCR are likely to face traffic disruptions as security has been tightened at the borders with barricades placed on key routes. Earlier this week, a similar protest by farmers from Uttar Pradesh caused significant inconvenience for commuters.
Key Demands of the Farmers
Farmers are pressing for:
- A legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP).
- Debt waivers and pensions for farmers and farm laborers.
- No increase in electricity tariffs.
- “Justice” for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
- Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.
- Compensation for families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 protests.
Protest Preparations and Peaceful Intent
On Monday, Pandher stated that a farmers’ delegation had informed Ambala’s Superintendent of Police about their planned march to Delhi on December 6. He emphasized the peaceful nature of the protest, countering accusations that farmers were carrying weapons.
Security Measures
Authorities have deployed tight security and installed heavy barricading at border points to manage the protest and maintain public safety.
Security Measures and Administrative Actions Ahead of Farmers’ Protest
Ahead of the planned protest, Ambala’s Superintendent of Police (SP) and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) visited the Shambhu border on Thursday evening to review security preparations. Measures, including the deployment of paramilitary forces, drones, and water cannons, have been set in place.
After inspecting the arrangements, Ambala SP Surendra Bhoria assured that all security protocols were ready and emphasized that no one would be allowed to break the law. “If the farmers wish to go to Delhi, they must first seek permission from the Delhi Police,” he stated.
On Wednesday, the Ambala district administration in Haryana urged farmers from Punjab to reconsider their planned march to Delhi, advising them to seek permission from Delhi Police before proceeding.
However, Delhi Police responded, stating they had not received any request from the Punjab farmers to march into the city.
In addition, the Ambala administration has invoked Section 163 of BNSS, which bans gatherings of five or more people in the district, and issued notices at the protest site near the Shambhu border.
Farmers have called on the government to allow the march without interference. “We want the government to respect our democratic right to protest,” said Pandher.
In response to the anticipated protest, all government and private schools in Ambala have been closed today.
