New Delhi: On Friday, farmers ceased their advance towards Delhi after encountering tear gas and opposition from security personnel. Following the suspension of their march to the national capital, a group of 101 farmers from Punjab plans to continue their journey to Delhi on Sunday at noon, amidst stringent security measures at the Shambhu border, as reported by news agency ANI.
During a press conference, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher stated, “We have not received any communication from the Centre regarding discussions. The (Narendra) Modi government appears unwilling to engage in talks.” He confirmed that the Samyukyta Kisan and Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have resolved to peacefully resume their march with 101 farmers on December 8.
Initially, the farmers commenced their march towards Delhi but faced tear gas and resistance from security forces at the Shambhu border in Haryana’s Ambala district, where Section 163 of the BNSS had been enforced. Prior to the farmers’ march, the Haryana government also suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 11 villages of the Ambala district until December.
Under Section 163, gatherings of five or more individuals were deemed unlawful. The march was temporarily halted after 16 farmers sustained injuries, with one individual reportedly losing their hearing due to the tear gas deployed by Haryana security personnel, according to Pandher. On Friday, multilayered barricades were erected at the border, with security measures intensified in anticipation of the march scheduled for tomorrow.
The upcoming march on December 8 will represent the fourth attempt by farmers to lead a procession to the parliament in Delhi. Previous attempts on February 13 and 21, which involved a ‘Dilli Chalo’ march with tractors and trolleys, were interrupted following the death of a farmer during confrontations with the police.
The farmers are advocating for a legal assurance of the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, as well as “justice” for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri incident and compensation for the families of farmers who perished during earlier protests in 2020-21.
