CHANDIGARH, Feb 9: The Haryana Police has deployed 50 companies of central paramilitary forces to maintain law and order ahead of the farmers’ proposed ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on February 13 in the state. Authorities have made it clear that they will not allow anyone to disrupt peace and harmony.
The police have warned the farmers that they should not participate in the planned march without permission and have also cautioned that strict action will be taken if they damage public property.
Over 200 farmers’ unions, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, announced the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on February 13 to pressure the Centre into accepting various demands, such as a law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) for crops. However, the SKM, which led the 2020 farmers’ protest against the now-repealed farm laws, is not part of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.
A three-member team of Union ministers recently held a detailed discussion with farmer organization leaders, and while the ministers assured them of a second round of talks, the farmer leaders have confirmed that the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on February 13 will still take place.
A senior Haryana Police officer stated that 50 companies of central paramilitary forces, including the Rapid Action Force and Central Reserve Police Force, have been deployed in the state to maintain law and order. Home Minister Anil Vij emphasized that foolproof arrangements have been made by the Haryana Police to maintain peace, and nobody will be allowed to disturb it.
In addition to elaborate security measures, the Haryana Police will seal the state’s borders with Punjab to prevent farmers from heading to the national capital. The police have already prepared concrete blocks, barbed wire, sandbags, barricades, and other items at the Shambhu border in Ambala to prevent protesters from marching towards Delhi.
The police have also directed petrol pump dealers in Ambala not to provide fuel to vehicles displaying farmer union flags. Water cannon vehicles and drones have been deployed at the Shambhu border.
Meanwhile, farmer unions in Ambala are also making preparations for the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. They have been holding meetings in various villages and arranging food items to carry along while marching towards Delhi.
The Ambala district administration has imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in the district and has requested 400 village sarpanches not to participate in the agitation.
On Thursday, Ambala police issued notices to several farmer leaders, warning them not to participate in the planned march to Delhi without permission and cautioning that strict action will be taken if they damage public property. The police also stated that any loss to government property will be compensated by attaching the property and seizing the bank accounts of the protesters. The police have also prohibited farmers from renting out their vehicles for the march.
In addition to a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP), the farmers are demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm laborers, farm debt waiver, withdrawal of police cases, and justice for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
In 2020, a large number of farmers from Punjab and nearby areas gathered at the Shambhu border and broke police barriers to march towards Delhi. The farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, held a year-long protest at Delhi’s border points against the three now-repealed farm laws.
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