Farmers from Punjab are marching to Parliament today, prompting the capital to prepare for another traffic crisis. Security has been heightened at the borders.
Farmers are set to resume their ‘Dilli Chalo’ march from the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana. They are protesting for various demands, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). In anticipation of the protest, tight security measures and heavy barricading have been implemented at the borders near Delhi.
Farmers, who have been camping at the Punjab-Haryana borders for over nine months, will resume their protest march to Parliament on Friday to press their demands, including a legal guarantee for a minimum support price (MSP). They have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 13.
In anticipation of the protest, which will begin at 1 PM from the Shambhu border, security has been tightened. The police have stated that they are adequately equipped to manage the situation. Heavy barricading has been implemented, and the Ambala district administration has banned gatherings of five or more people.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher mentioned that farmers would march on foot instead of using tractors. Around 100 farmers are expected to begin the march from the Shambhu border. “We have been here for the past eight months. In response to accusations that our tractors are modified, we have decided to march to Delhi on foot,” Pandher said. He noted that the farmers’ movement has garnered support from khap panchayats and members of the business community.
The farmers are primarily seeking a legal guarantee for MSP for their crops. They had previously attempted to march towards Delhi on February 13 and February 21 but were stopped by security forces at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. Camped at these border points under the banners of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, the farmers are now pushing for action after months of stalled communication with the central government. “In February, we held four rounds of talks, but there have been no further discussions since February 18,” Pandher stated, calling for renewed discussions to address the farmers’ concerns.
Residents of Delhi-NCR may experience traffic jams due to the heightened security and barricades installed at key routes. Earlier this week, a similar protest by farmers from Uttar Pradesh caused significant inconvenience for thousands of commuters.
What Are the Farmers Demanding?
In addition to a legal guarantee for MSP, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pensions for farmers and farm laborers, and a halt to hikes in electricity tariffs. They also seek “justice” for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, and compensation for the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21.
On Monday, Pandher announced that a delegation of farmers had met with Ambala’s Superintendent of Police (SP) to inform them about their planned march to Delhi on December 6. He emphasized that the protest would be peaceful, despite accusations from the district administration claiming that they would carry weapons. “We will march peacefully,” he stated.
Security Measures in Place
In preparation for the protest, Ambala’s SP and Inspector General of Police (IGP) visited the Shambhu border on Thursday evening. Security measures—including the deployment of paramilitary forces, drones, and water cannons—have been established. After reviewing the arrangements, Ambala SP Surendra Bhoria confirmed that all security measures are in place and that no one would be allowed to take the law into their hands. “If the farmers want to go to Delhi, they should first get permission from the Delhi Police,” he advised.
On Wednesday, the Ambala district administration in Haryana urged Punjab farmers to reconsider their proposed march to Delhi, advising them to seek permission from the Delhi Police before proceeding. However, Delhi Police stated that they had not received any such request from the Punjab farmers.
The Ambala administration has also imposed Section 163 of the BNSS, which restricts assemblies of five or more people in the district and has issued notices at the protest site near the Shambhu border. Farmers are urging the government to allow their march to proceed without interference. “We want the government to let us exercise our democratic right to protest,” Pandher stated.
In light of the planned farmers’ march, all government and private schools in Ambala have been closed for the day.
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Reference Link- farmer’s from Punjab March to parliament Chalo Dilli