As tensions escalate between farmers and authorities, Haryana gears up to thwart the impending march towards Delhi planned by agricultural workers from Punjab and neighboring regions. Cement barricades, iron nails embedded on roads, and heavy police deployment characterize the state’s defensive measures in anticipation of the farmers’ protest scheduled for Tuesday.
Video footage circulating on social media showcases individuals drilling iron nails into roads, signaling a determined effort to impede the progress of the approaching march. All borders between Haryana and Punjab have been fortified with formidable cement barricades and barbed wires, while a strict imposition of Section 144 in numerous districts adds to the stringent measures. The deployment of CRPF and other security agencies alongside the police further reinforces the state’s resolve to prevent the farmers’ advance.
The preparations echo a reminiscent scenario from 2020 when farmers, predominantly from Punjab, converged at the Shambhu border, breaching police barriers in a bid to march towards Delhi. This time, the authorities are leaving no stone unturned, instituting diversions and implementing a seven-tier security cordon as part of their elaborate arrangements.
Efforts to obstruct the farmers’ movement extend beyond barricades and nails; the Ghaggar river bed has been excavated to deter tractor access to highways, intensifying the barriers to the planned march.
In a bid to stifle communication and organization among protesters, the Haryana government has ordered the suspension of mobile internet services and bulk SMS in seven districts ahead of the scheduled march.
Despite the fortified defenses, farmers remain resolute in their preparations, with more than 200 unions poised to join the protest on February 13. Their demands encompass a range of issues, including the enactment of legislation guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) for crops, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pensions for farmers and laborers, farm debt waivers, and justice for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
A three-member team of Union ministers engaged in discussions with farmer leaders on Thursday, with assurances of a subsequent meeting. However, the farmers maintain their stance on the proposed ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, scheduled to commence despite the ongoing dialogues.
As tensions mount and both sides fortify their positions, the stage is set for a potential confrontation between the farmers’ determination to press for their demands and the authorities’ efforts to maintain order and security. The outcome of this impending clash holds significant implications for the ongoing agricultural reform discourse in India.
Sources By Agencies
