On Sunday 101 farmers tried to resume their ‘Dilli Chalo’ march starting from at the Shambhu protest site at Punjab-Haryana border, seeking a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP), as also some other key issues. But their progress was stalled in meters as they marched forward, it ended in clashes with the Haryana Police.
The police claimed to have done so in an attempt to disperse the protesters, and fired tear gas shells, demanding the right to continue their protest. In doing so a tense standoff, heated exchanges between farmers and authorities ensued.
The Punjab has intensified security at the Punjab and Haryana border so it can’t allow the farmers to go out. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 (formerly Section 144) restricting gatherings of more than five people were enforced, and multiple barricades have been erected.
And the Khanauri border, another critical point of entry between Punjab and Haryana, has also been sealed off. There are 13 contingents of security personnel and four layers of security set up to keep order.
After Friday’s attempt to advance on Delhi was suspended following clashes, this march is the latest of a string of protests by farmers demanding that India repeal laws that they say undercut their rights. Earlier, police fired tear gas at the crowd, injuring several protesters.
They (farmers) are steadfast in their demands for MSP assures and are not budging despite restrictions and heavy security measures. The march is a reflection of continuing tensions between the farming community and the government over long standing agrarian causes.
