A ‘jatha’ of 101 farmers began their foot march to Delhi on Friday from their protest site at the Shambhu border but were stopped just a few metres away by a series of barricades.
As several farmers approached the barricades placed on the Haryana side of the Shambhu border, the security personnel used tear gas. The farmers were advised not to continue by Haryana Police, who cited a prohibitory order issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Any unlawful gathering of five or more people in the district is prohibited by the Ambala district administration.
In order to compel the Centre to provide a legal guarantee for a minimum support price for crops, the farmers are marching. A few farmers carrying the flags of farmers’ unions pushed the security officials’ iron mesh down the bridge that was built over the Ghaggar River.
Haryana Govt’s Actions
On Friday, the Haryana government suspended bulk SMS and mobile internet access in 11 Ambala district villages till December 9.
Dangdehri, Lohgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Lhars, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar, Saddopur, Sultanpur and Kakru villages in Ambala were all subject to the restriction from noon on Friday.
The farmers, who are united under the non-political Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha organisations, have been demanding that the Centre provide them with a legal guarantee for a minimum support price for crops.
They have been sitting at the border points of Shambhu and Khanauri between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, when security forces blocked their march to Delhi.
All public and private schools in Ambala were previously directed to close by the district authority.
Farmers Battling Obstacles
At 1 pm, the “jatha” started their march, but after only a few meters, they were forced to stop near a multi-layered barricading that the Haryana government had put up.
The “jatha” easily passed over the first set of barriers while carrying essentials, hoisting the flags of farmers’ unions and chanting “Satnam Waheguru,” but they were unable to continue.
Iron nails were removed from the National Highway-44 by some farmers, while others pushed the barbed wire and iron mesh.
Farmers were asked not to proceed because they lacked authorisation by police officers stationed behind the cement barricades with iron grills constructed for protection.
One of the demonstrators scaled the tin’s roof, which had been occupied by security personnel. He had no choice but to descend. Additionally, water cannon trucks have been deployed at the border point of Shambhu.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, a farmer leader, referred to the 101 farmers who were a part of the Jatha as “marjeevras”—people who would sacrifice their lives for a cause.
He attacked the government of Haryana for preventing them from marching, even on foot. On Thursday, Pandher told reporters that the farmers would have achieved a “moral victory” if the government prevented them from marching.
“Their leaders in the states and at the centre have consistently stated that there should not be any objections if farmers are not bringing tractor-trolleys. Therefore, there should be no reason to stop the farmers if we go to Delhi,” he remarked.
The farmers also commemorated the martyrdom day of Sikh Guru Teg Bahadur at the border points of Shambhu and Khanauri.
At the Khanauri border point on Friday, SKM leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal carried on with his fast-unto-death.
Security personnel deployed at the border posts have previously prevented protesting farmers from marching into Delhi on February 13 and February 21.
In addition to MSP, the farmers are calling for the dismissal of police cases against them, the remission of agricultural debt, a pension for farmers and farm workers, no increases in power rates and “justice” for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri unrest in 2021.
Among their other demands are the restoration of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 and compensation to the relatives of farmers who lost their lives in the 2020–21 protest.
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