Farmers Set to March Toward Delhi Again: Tensions Rise as Centre Remains Unyielding

On Friday, protesting farmers paused their foot march to the national capital after encountering tear gas from security forces at the Punjab-Haryana border, resulting in some injuries. The halt was a response to the confrontational situation.

P24 News Media

December 07, 2024

1 minute

Farmers Set to March Toward Delhi Again: Tensions Rise as Centre Remains Unyielding

India

In Chandigarh, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher stated on Saturday that no communication has been received from the central government regarding discussions to resolve their ongoing issues. He announced that a contingent of 101 farmers is set to recommence their march toward Delhi on December 8.

The previous day, a group of protesting farmers temporarily halted their journey to the national capital after enduring injuries caused by tear gas canisters discharged by security forces stationed at the Punjab-Haryana border. The farmers are advocating for a series of demands, with a primary focus on establishing a legal assurance for the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Speaking to reporters at Shambhu, situated at the Punjab-Haryana boundary, Mr. Pandher reported that 16 farmers were injured during the confrontations, with a grievous incident resulting in one individual losing hearing capacity due to the tear gas. He noted that apart from four injured individuals, the remainder had been released from medical facilities, adding, "We have not had any communication from the Centre regarding discussions. The Modi administration appears unwilling to engage in dialogue."

He emphasized that both the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have already resolved that a group of 101 farmers will once again march toward the national capital on Sunday at midday in a non-violent manner.

The farmer unions, specifically SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, initiated their march to Delhi on Friday, departing from the Shambhu border to advocate for their pressing demands.

However, the group encountered multilayered barricades established by Haryana security personnel, which effectively halted their advance. Despite facing prohibitory measures, the farmers endeavored to breach the barriers but were met with resistance from the security forces, who resorted to deploying tear gas to disperse them and compel their return to the Shambhu protest site situated in Punjab.

Commenting on the aggressive tactics employed by security forces against the farmers, Mr. Pandher remarked that the BJP-led central government has effectively "revealed its true face." He questioned, "What actions did they take yesterday? The public is incensed by such treatment. People are demanding clarity from the BJP on why farmers were restricted from progressing when they were not transporting tractor-trolleys."

In an ongoing demonstration of protest, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal maintained a hunger strike at the Khanauri border, with reports indicating that he has experienced a weight loss of eight kilograms. Mr. Pandher, addressing the situation on Friday, urged the government to either engage in dialogue with the protesting farmers or, at the very least, permit them to proceed to Delhi. Conversely, Haryana Police claimed that the farmers caused disturbances and attempted to dismantle police barricades erected on the Haryana side of the border.

In light of the farmers' planned march, the Haryana government preemptively suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services across 11 villages in the Ambala district until December 9. Previously, farmers had tried to march toward Delhi on February 13 and February 21 but were prevented from advancing by forces stationed at the border crossings.

In addition to their demand for a legal guarantee for MSP, the farmers are also insisting on a waiver of farm debts, pensions for both farmers and laborers, a freeze on electricity tariff hikes, the withdrawal of cases against farmers, and justice for the families affected by the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri incidents.

Moreover, they seek the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 and appropriate compensation for families of farmers who lost their lives during the earlier protests held in 2020 and 2021 as part of their comprehensive agenda for justice and reform.