Farmers Protest: Farmers have once again prepared to surround Delhi with their demands related to farming including Minimum Support Price (MSP). Farmers have announced that they will start ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on 13 February to put pressure on the central government. Farmers from Punjab-Haryana are going to reach Delhi for the movement. Keeping this in mind, patrolling has been increased on the borders from Haryana to Delhi.
The capital Delhi has seen a demonstration of farmers in 2020-21, which lasted for a year. Due to this movement, Delhiites had to face traffic problems. Violence also took place during the demonstration on 26 January. This is the reason why the government does not want anything like this to happen this time. Special arrangements have been made to keep the farmers away from the borders of Delhi. Something similar is being done in Haryana also, so that the group of farmers can be stopped.
Who is the leader of the farmers and what is their demand?
Delhi Chalo March has been announced by United Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Both these organizations have announced the movement along with more than 200 farmer unions. Most of these organizations are associated with Punjab-Haryana. This is the reason why the farmers participating in the ‘Dilli Chalo’ march are also from these states. However, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the Khap of the Jat community, which are generally active on farmers’ issues, have also kept distance from the protest.
Farmers have demanded from the government that the government should give legal guarantee of MSP. Pension facility and crop insurance facility should also be provided to the farmers. Farmers have also demanded the removal of cases against those against whom cases were registered during the protests in 2020. A demand has also been made on behalf of the farmers that the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission should be implemented in the farming sector as soon as possible. Demand for justice has also been raised for the victims of Lakhimpur violence.
What was done in Delhi to stop the farmers?
Keeping in mind the ‘Dilli Chalo’ march, work is underway on a plan to convert the capital Delhi into a fort. The blockade has been increased on the borders from Haryana to Uttar Pradesh. Besides, they are also being closed. Delhi Police has imposed Section 144 on Ghazipur Border, Tikri Border and Singhu Border. Section 144 has also been imposed in North-East Delhi. Security arrangements have also been increased on all three major borders connecting Delhi with Haryana and UP.
Not only has security been increased in the Ghazipur border area, but RPF personnel have also been deployed. Delhi Police is already present here. Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora has gone to Singhu Border and taken stock of the security arrangements. Concrete barriers, sharp barriers laid on the road, barbed wire and barricades have been installed with the help of cranes on all three borders. The entire area is also being monitored through drones.
How are the preparations on the Haryana-Punjab border?
Similar preparations have been made on the borders of Haryana and Punjab. Security has been increased on Ambala-Kaithal bypass. The border with Punjab has been sealed at Shambhu near Ambala. Extensive arrangements have been made on the borders of Jind and Fatehabad districts to stop the farmers. To prevent farmers from jumping the police barricades, iron sheets have been installed on both sides of the road on Ghaggar flyover.
Water cannons and anti-riot vehicles have been deployed on the border with Punjab. The administration has also excavated the bed of Ghaggar river to prevent protesters from coming to Haryana from Punjab through the river. Due to fear of disturbing peace, the Haryana government has banned mobile internet service and sending multiple SMS in seven districts – Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa from February 11 to 13.
Government talks with farmer delegation today
The central government is also busy in convincing the farmers. Three Union Ministers are going to hold talks with a delegation of farmers on Monday (February 12) in Chandigarh to discuss the demands of farmers. Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Nityanand Rai are going to hold talks with the delegation of United Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. He had also talked to the delegation on February 8, but there was no result.
What preparations have the farmers made for the protest?
Farmers also seem fully prepared to make the ‘Dilli Chalo’ march a success. The Indian Express reported in its report that farmers have started taking supplies of food and water from the villages. Farmers are preparing to reach Delhi with tractors, trolleys and food and drinks. It is also being told that farmers have also started collecting tents and diesel-petrol. This shows that farmers are coming prepared to camp for a long time.