Farmers ‘Chalo Dilli’ march Highlights: The ongoing farmers’ protest has been temporarily halted for two days following a tragic incident at the Khanauri border today, where a protester succumbed to a fatal head injury. Additionally, a number of farmers sustained injuries during clashes with the Haryana Police, who deployed tear gas shells at both the Shambhu and Khanauri border areas. In light of these developments, protest leaders have decided to assess the situation thoroughly and will announce the future course of action on Friday evening.
The farmers had previously rejected the government’s proposal to procure pulses, maize, and cotton at MSP for five years. Since beginning their march on February 13, thousands of farmers have been stopped at the Haryana border, where police have fired tear gas. The ‘Delhi Chalo’ march has been organised by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to press for their demands, including MSP assurance and farm loan waivers.
Farmers Protest Day 9 Highlights: Farmers intensify stir, tear gas fired at border points. Follow Financial Express Online for live updates.
A tragic incident occurred at the Khanauri border on the Punjab-Haryana border, resulting in the death of a 21-year-old farmer and injuries to several others amid clashes between security personnel and protesting farmers. The deceased, identified as Subhkaran Singh, hailed from Baloke village in Punjab's Bathinda district. This marks the first casualty in the clashes since the commencement of the 'Delhi Chalo' march on February 13, according to farmer leaders.
The Indian Express reports that one protester who is among the agitating farmers was killed as Haryana Police dropped tear gas shells at the Shambhu and Khanauri border on Wednesday afternoon. As per the report, the deceased has been identified as Jugraj Singh who died of a head injury at the Khanauri border.
The report quotes a senior medical officer at the Patran hospital as saying that the death prima facie appears to be due to a bullet injury but Rajindra Hospital will do the post-mortem and then give a final verdict.
Meanwhile, the Haryana Police has denied reports of the death of one protester and dismissed it as a rumour.
Haryana Police clarifies that there has been no fatality among farmers today.
"Any rumours suggesting otherwise are unfounded. However, there have been reports of injuries, with two policemen and one protester wounded at the Data Singh-Khanori border," Haryana Police said in a tweet.
https://twitter.com/police_haryana/status/1760244490735067202
Security forces fire tear gas shells to scatter protesting farmers at the Khanauri border in Sangrur district of Punjab.
The Delhi Police have already accumulated a stockpile of 30,000 tear gas shells.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Jimmy Chiram stated that there was an ample presence of police personnel as well as paramilitary forces stationed at the borders between Delhi and Haryana.
Haryana Police fire tear gas as farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march intensifies.
Heavy traffic witnessed at Delhi-Amritsar National Highway in Kurukshetra.
Union Minister Arjun Munda says that the Centre is ready to hold a discussion over all the issues, including MSP, crop diversification, stubble burning. He also said that a solution can only be found through dialogue,
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge says that the party stands in solidarity with the farmers, advocating openly for the fulfillment of their justified demands. "This commitment will also be reflected in our election manifesto, wherein we pledge to provide a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). While it may not be feasible to cover all crops, essential crops must receive this assurance," he says.
Delhi minister Gopal Rai on farmers' protest: "The central government must adhere to two crucial actions: firstly, it should uphold its commitment to enact a law on Minimum Support Price (MSP) as pledged earlier; secondly, farmers should be permitted to engage in peaceful protests in Delhi until discussions are concluded."
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad says, "Today, Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda has extended an invitation for further discussions. We believe that the resolution to this issue will emerge through dialogue and negotiation. We urge the farmers to seek a peaceful resolution. Our government remains committed to the welfare and development of farmers, which has been one of our foremost priorities."
After Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda extended an invitation for a fifth round of discussion, BJP MP Ravi Shankar urged farmers for peaceful dialogue. Addressing a press conference, he said, 'Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda has offered talks today as well. A solution will emerge from discussions. We appeal to them (farmers) to resolve the issue peacefully. We have already discussed the significant work our government has done for the farmers. The development of farmers is one of our biggest priorities.' (PTI)
The Punjab government has escalated security measures in response to the farmers' protest march to Delhi originating from the Shambhu and Khanauri borders at 11 am on Wednesday, as reported by Indian Express.
Since their march to Delhi on February 13 resulted in clashes with security forces, farmers have been encamped on the Punjab-Haryana border areas. In contrast to the Dilli Chalo march on February 13, where around 1,200 personnel were deployed, the government has now stationed over 4,800 police personnel at Shambhu, according to confirmed sources.
To address potential medical emergencies, the government has mobilized 20 ambulances at Rajpura and Shambhu, along with 12 at Dhabi Gujran near the Khanauri border. The Patiala district administration's office has affirmed the deployment of eighteen duty magistrates and eight Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officers as special executive magistrates.
Taking to his official handle on X, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda invited the farmers for a fifth round of discussion, stating, 'After the fourth round, the government is ready to discuss all the issues like MSP, crop diversification, stubble issue, FIR in the fifth round. I again invite the farmer leaders for discussion. It is important for us to maintain peace.'
Today, Patiala Range DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar stated that the Haryana Police used 14 tear gas shells without any provocation as farmers commenced their march towards Delhi. He mentioned that he has filed a protest with the Haryana police concerning the incident.
Responding to the call from protesting farmer unions to march towards Delhi, Ruldu Singh Mansa, the president of Punjab Kisan Union (a constituent unit of SKM), stated, 'The protest is ongoing at the Punjab-Haryana borders. I appeal to the protesting farmers to maintain peace. If it turns violent, we stand to lose. I have a message for the leadership at these borders to stay calm, 'Josh ke saath hosh se kaam lein' (Work with enthusiasm but also with wisdom). You all must remember how we had conducted the Kisan agitation at Delhi borders. That agitation was peaceful, and we emerged victorious. Once again, I appeal to the leadership and the youth to keep it peaceful. Our Gurus have also taught us the same.
The 'Delhi Chalo' march resumed today at 11 am, leading to heavy traffic at the Delhi-Gurugram border.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday declined to accept a plea by the Haryana government concerning farmers using heavy equipment ahead of the 'Delhi Chalo' protest march. The court ordered, 'Politics is happening all over. Why didn't Punjab stop these machines/protestors earlier? Courts are being used,' as it refused the hearing. Subsequently, the Haryana government approached the High Court again on Wednesday, seeking directives to prevent farmers from advancing with their modified earth-moving equipment, citing security concerns in Haryana."
According to TV reports, three tear gas shells were fired at farmers protesting at Delhi's Shambhu Border as they resumed their 'Delhi Chalo' march.
On Wednesday, Haryana Police issued a warning to the owners of excavators, urging them to withdraw their machines from the protest site where farmers are preparing to resume their 'Delhi Chalo' march. Failure to comply may result in legal action against the owners.
The police expressed concern that these excavators could pose a threat to security personnel stationed at the Punjab-Haryana border points if used by protesting farmers. In a statement, the police cautioned owners and operators of Poclains, JCBs, stating, 'Please do not provide your equipment to the protestors and withdraw them from the protest site if already done, as they may be used to cause harm to security forces. It is a non-bailable offence, and you may be held criminally liable.'
Union ministers and farm leaders have resumed talks in anticipation of the 'Delhi Chalo' march. The Union Government has initiated another round of discussions, currently conducted over the phone. The possibility of further in-person meetings remains uncertain at this time.
Meanwhile, farmers at Shambhu are preparing for potential confrontations by wearing swimming goggles to protect their eyes and earplugs for potential tear gas impact. Additionally, they have modified tractors and JCBs, covering tires with metal sheets to prevent damage.
Heavy machinery is strategically positioned at the forefront of the protest, although some intended machinery was prevented by Punjab police from reaching the protest site.
Approximately 177 social media accounts and web links associated with the farmers' protest have been temporarily restricted by the government, as reported by PTI.
The directives were issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on February 14 and 19, following the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs under Section 69A of the IT Act.
Responding to the concerns raised by the Haryana government regarding the arrival of JCBs, Poclaines, Tippers, Hydras, and other heavy earthmoving equipment at the Shambhu border by protesting farmers, the Director General of Police (DGP) for Punjab issued directives on Tuesday to halt the movement of such machinery to the Punjab-Haryana Border at Khanauri and Shambu.
In a letter addressed to all Range ADGPs/IGPs/DIGs, Commissioners of Police, and Senior Superintendents of Police, the Punjab DGP reiterated, "Clear instructions have been issued to all SSPs and CPs that no JCBs, Poclaines, Tippers, Hydras, and other heavy earthmoving equipment should be allowed to reach the Punjab-Haryana border at Khanauri and Shambu, where the farmer agitation is ongoing. Inputs indicate plans of the protestors to breach the barricades of Haryana Police and enter Haryana, a move that could disrupt the law and order situation in both states," as mentioned in the letter.
Earlier, the Haryana DGP had submitted a written request to his Punjab counterpart, urging him to prevent the movement of earth-moving machinery towards the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. (ANI)
Officials from the Punjab Government arrived at Shambhu Border to engage with protesting farmers who were preparing to recommence their 'Delhi Chalo' march.
Reacting to the farmers' decision to decline the Centre's five-year MSP proposal, Union Minister Arjun Munda said on Tuesday, "We want to do good, and several opinions can be given for doing so, as we always welcome good opinions. But to find a way on how that opinion will be fruitful, the only way is conversation. Through conversation, a solution will surely come out..."
Delhi and Haryana's border points, specifically Tikri and Singhu, are tightly secured with a substantial deployment of police personnel and paramilitary forces. Multi-layered barricades made of concrete and iron nails further fortify these locations. Additionally, two lanes at the Ghazipur border have been closed with similar barricades and police presence.
Officials mention the possibility of closing the Ghazipur border on Wednesday if necessary. Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer) Jimmy Chiram assured ample force deployment, including paramilitary personnel, at the Delhi-Haryana borders.
Highlighting the preparedness of Delhi Police, another officer stated their readiness to prevent farmers from entering Delhi. Strict instructions have been given to security personnel not to allow any protesters or vehicles into the city, with mock security drills conducted for practice.
Following a substantial deployment for law and order maintenance, traffic experienced disruptions on Delhi-Gurugram, Delhi-Bahadurgarh, and various other roads.
In the recent fourth round of talks with farmer leaders on Sunday, a panel of three Union ministers proposed a five-year plan where government agencies would procure pulses, maize, and cotton at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) upon agreement with farmers. However, farmer leaders rejected the proposal, deeming it unfavorable to their interests."
What farmers are demanding?
Farmers from Punjab, who commenced their march towards Delhi on February 13 but were halted by security forces at Shambhu and Khanauri points on the Punjab-Haryana border, are protesting to press the Centre to meet their demands. These include the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, the provision of pensions for farmers and labourers, debt forgiveness for farmers, prevention of an increase in electricity charges, withdrawal of police cases, seeking justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, and compensation for the families of farmers who lost their lives during the previous protest in 2020-21.