New Delhi- Amidst the anticipation of another wave of farmer protests, the familiar sight of heavy police barricades has returned to Delhi's Ghazipur border. Scheduled for February 13, the upcoming 'Delhi Chalo' march organized by farmers from Haryana aims to push the government to meet their demands, prominently featuring the enactment of legislation to guarantee minimum support price (MSP) and pension benefits.
With memories still fresh of the clashes between farmers and police on January 26, 2021, Delhi Police has spared no effort in fortifying security measures.
The march is being organized by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the authorities are taking strict measures to disrupt the demonstration. Specifically, the borders between Punjab and Haryana in Ambala, Jind, and Fatehabad districts will be sealed off. This action aims to control the flow of participants and prevent any potential disturbances.
The Haryana government has decided to suspend mobile internet services and bulk SMS in seven districts, including Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, and Fatehabad.
This measure is likely aimed at preventing the spread of misinformation or coordinating unauthorized activities. Furthermore, Haryana Police have issued advisories to commuters, urging them to limit their travel on main roads. Alternative routes have been suggested for travellers between Chandigarh and Delhi, as well as Delhi and Chandigarh, in order to avoid potential disruptions caused by the march.
The planned routes for the farmers' march include the Ambala-Shambhu border, Khanauri-Jind, and the Dabwali border. However, the Haryana police have made it clear that Punjab farmers will not be allowed to enter Haryana, indicating a strict stance on controlling the movement of participants from neighboring regions. At the Shambhu border in Ambala, the police have made extensive preparations, including placing concrete blocks, barbed wire, sandbags, and barricades.
On 9th February, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher revealed that the Central government has asked them to attend a meeting to discuss their demands on February 12. He stated that a delegation from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha will meet with three Union ministers—Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai—in Chandigarh on the same day.
Rajendra Yadav, the chairman of Bharatiya Kisan Sangathan (BKS), talked to The Mooknayak and revealed, “Punjab and Haryana’s seven union and four other union from Uttar Pradesh are joining us in this demonstration.” On being asked about the meeting that is scheduled to be held between union ministers and a delegation from the farmers side, Yadav claimed that it “is a good thing.”
He continued, “If government wants to talk, we wholeheartedly welcome this. Farmers too want to talk. It is not important to have the talk at the capital. If our pleas are heard at our homes, then what can be better than this?”
The chairman added, “If things get sorted tomorrow through the talk, then we will welcome it. Otherwise, let us meet at the border.” It seems not the entire Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) will be taking the path of protest.
P Krishna Prasad, a member of the coordination committee of SKM asserted to The Mooknayak, “The non-political faction of ‘Samyukt Kisan Morcha’ is a part of the demonstration. We will be focusing on the up-coming Lok Sabha elections and have called for a ‘Grameen Bandh’ on 16th February.”
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) reiterated their support for the demonstration.
General Secretary of the Punjab State chapter of BKU, Dr. Sukhvinder Kaur commented, “We are supporting the march because the farmers are demanding what is rightfully theirs. They are just asking the government to deliver on their promises.”
Video footage has emerged, showing the city police holding a special drill - practicing firing of tear gas shell to disperse the protesters. Heavy police barricading has been deployed at the Ghazipur border - one of the entry points of the national capital where the peasants had laid a siege during the 2020-21 agitation.
"Information has been received that some farmer organisations have given a call to their supporters to gather/march to Delhi on 13th February for their demands of the law on MSP and others. They are likely to sit at the borders of Delhi till their demands are met. In order to avoid any untoward incident and maintain law and order, a precautionary order under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, is required to be issued to save the lives and properties in the areas," said the Delhi Police in a statement released to the media.
The measures the police in the city has taken include blocking of the border of the national capital with Haryana, deployment of cranes to move barriers if the peasants try to cross into Delhi, drills to practice firing teargas shells if farmers refuse to stop, etc.
Haryana too has brought in cement barriers to ensure that the agitating farmers don't enter Delhi. At least, 20,000 peasants with 2,000 tractors are expected to enter the city day on Tuesday. In order to hoodwink the cops, anticipates the Delhi, some farmers may use public transport to enter the city.
Some of them, as per the police intelligence inputs, may also come beforehand and gather outside the residences of VVIPs such as the prime minister, ministers and BJP leaders.
The Delhi Police has also keeping an eye on the social media in view of the protest.
The cops in Haryana and Punjab, according to reports, are using tractors to simulate the protest and practice how they will respond. Around 40 such rehearsals (30 in Punjab and 10 in Haryana) have so far been held. In addition to states' police, 50 companies of the paramilitary force have been called in to block the farmers.
The farmers are pressing for a comprehensive set of demands aimed at addressing various aspects of their livelihood and well-being. These demands include:
Legal Guarantee for MSP: Farmers are seeking assurance through legislation that Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops will be provided, ensuring them a fair income for their produce.
· Implementation of Swaminathan Commission's Recommendations: The Swaminathan Commission recommended measures to improve farmers' income and address agricultural challenges. Farmers are calling for the full implementation of these recommendations to benefit their community.
Pensions for Farmers and Farm Labourers: There is a demand for the establishment of pension schemes specifically tailored for farmers and farm laborers, recognizing their contributions to the agricultural sector.
Farm Debt Waiver: Many farmers are burdened by debt, and they are advocating for the forgiveness of agricultural loans to alleviate financial strain and provide them with a fresh start.
Withdrawal of Police Cases: Farmers are requesting the withdrawal of legal cases filed against them during protests and demonstrations, aiming to ensure that they are not unjustly penalized for exercising their rights.
Justice for Victims of Lakhimpur Kheri Violence: The farmers are seeking accountability and justice for those affected by the tragic events in Lakhimpur Kheri, emphasizing the importance of addressing grievances and ensuring fairness in the legal process.
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