Punjab Farmers Unite for 'Delhi Chalo' March

Chandigarh - Tens of thousands of farmers gathered at border points between Punjab and Haryana on Friday in support of a 'Delhi Chalo' march by a delegation of 101 farmers. The march, set to begin around 1 p.m. aims to pressure the central government to address longstanding demands, including legal guarantees for minimum support price (MSP) for crops and loan waivers.

This latest protest follows two previous attempts by farmer groups, under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), to reach Delhi in February that were thwarted by security forces. Farmers have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 13th.

"An indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border has entered its eleventh day (on December 6). At 1 p.m., a delegation of 101 farmers will move peacefully towards Delhi on foot from Shambhu border,” farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told the press.

The decision to march to the national capital follows the failure of recent talks between farmer leaders and the Central government. Protesters are demanding to reach Delhi on foot, rejecting the government's suggestion of using tractor-trailers.

Authorities in both Punjab and Haryana have deployed heavy police forces and sealed borders to prevent the farmers from entering Haryana. However, there have been no reports of violence or force used against the protesters.

Protesting farmers, including men, women, young and old, school and college students, have been assembling on Haryana's borders in tractor-trailers, cars, and motorcycles. They have set up tents, makeshift kitchens, and parked their vehicles on roads leading to the interstate borders.

Superintendent of Police Surender Singh Bhoria, Ambala, Haryana, stated, "All the arrangements have been made to maintain the law and order. I request all the farmers to maintain peace. They can go to Delhi after fulfilling the requisite procedures.”

The Ambala district magistrate has prohibited all processions, gatherings of five or more people, and movement on foot, vehicles, or any other mode in the district.

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border, was forcibly removed by authorities on November 26 and taken to a hospital in Ludhiana. Later, he was discharged after the farmers' pursuance.

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Pandher emphasized that the government has failed to meet any of their demands over the past 10 months. The first "jatha" (delegation) of farmers will be led by Satnam Singh Pannu, Surinder Singh Chautala, Surjit Singh Phul, and Baljinder Singh.

The farmers are prepared for a long-term protest, bringing along rations, vegetables, flour, lentils, and cooking oil on their tractor-trailers.

"We are carrying the ration that lasts up to two-three months,” said Gurdev Singh, a farmer from Moga town.

Both Punjab and Haryana Police have issued travel advisories, urging commuters to avoid certain stretches along the Shambhu and Khanauri borders due to the protests.