New Delhi / Chandigarh: State governments are making every effort to stop the farmers going to Delhi from various states in protest against the disputed agricultural laws recently brought by the Modi government of the Center. The farmers had given a call for 'Delhi Chalo March' on Thursday against these three agricultural bills.
To prevent the farmers from reaching Delhi, there are reports of water pouring on them in cold places, dropping tear gas shells, and detaining many farmers and farmer leaders.
It is known that the farmers' organizations have organized a protest called 'Delhi Chalo March' in the national capital for November 26 and 27. They demand that the government withdraw the recently disputed agricultural laws and make the minimum support price (MSP) a legal right.
Various groups of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh and Bhartiya Kisan Union have formed a 'Samyukta Kisan Morcha' to pressurize the central government to repeal the three agricultural laws.
A seven-member committee has also been formed to coordinate the operation of the Morcha.
However, many BJP ruled states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand are using the police and government machinery to prevent farmers from entering Delhi. A day before the protests, Haryana imposed large barricades on the Punjab border and stopped bus services in neighboring states.
Many farmers of Punjab are trying to reach the national capital. In view of this, Haryana has completely sealed all its borders with Punjab.
As part of the protest, farmers on Wednesday traveled from Punjab to Delhi with their tractor-trailer, which was blocked at the border in Haryana to prevent it.
Water splashes were used at least twice to disperse the protesters and prevent them from reaching Delhi.
Along with this, a lot of water canons were run on the farmers in Kurukshetra and Ambala, due to which many farmers are also reported injured. Similarly, rallies coming from Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand were stopped in Uttar Pradesh.
In the pictures below it can be seen how tear gas shells are being released on the farmers. This video is from the Shambhu border of Haryana and Punjab.
One protester said, "They (administration) have put barricades all over the road, but we will still move forward." The public is facing problems. They should not have closed the road. '
Contrary to the government's attempts to stop, the farmers are committed to reach Delhi.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police on Thursday tightened its vigil in the border areas of the national capital in view of the 'Delhi Chalo' protest march by farmers.
Police said that Delhi Police has deployed trucks filled with sand to stop the movement of tractors operated by farmers on the Singhu border.
This is the first time the city police has deployed trucks filled with sand on the border.
The police said that the border has not been sealed, but they are checking all vehicles entering the national capital.
Earlier, the Delhi Police had on November 26 and 27 rejected the requests of various farmer organizations to protest in the national capital against the new agricultural laws of the Center.
Police said on Tuesday that if they come to the city for any gathering between the Kovid-19 epidemic, then legal action will be taken against the protesting farmers.
In view of the farmers' march, Delhi Metro trains will not cross the borders of the national capital from neighboring cities till 2 pm on Thursday.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said that no metro services will be available from Anand Vihar to Vaishali and New Ashok Nagar to Noida City Center during this period.
Metro service will not be available between Sultanpur and Guru Dronacharya metro stations till 2 pm on Thursday. However, regular metro services will be available at the airport and rapid metro lines during the same period.
The police had tweeted and said that requests for any such meeting in the city have been rejected.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) had tweeted, 'Regarding the march for Delhi on 26th and 27th of farmer organizations… rejecting all the requests received from various farmer organizations regarding the protests in Delhi on 26th and 27th November It has been given and the organizers have already been informed about it.He said, "Please cooperate with the Delhi Police that there should be no meeting in Delhi between the corona virus, if it is not done then legal action will be taken."
Public Relations Officer of Delhi Police Ish Singhal had said that various farmer organizations had requested permission for protests in Delhi on 26 and 27 November. We have made them aware in writing and through various media that in view of the latest guidelines of DDMA, protests are not allowed.
He said that if the situation gets better, he can ask for proper permission and exercise his right to protest in Delhi. For now, they are requested to cooperate with the Delhi Police and not participate in any kind of protest.
Singhal had said that if we turn to Delhi despite our appeal, necessary legal action will be taken against him.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Jasmeet Singh said, 'Our main focus will be on Ghazipur border, Chilla border and DND. There is already a heavy deployment of policemen and there will be a 24-hour investigation. Paramilitary forces have also been deployed. Police will also investigate other small boundaries of the district.
Police said that police has been activated on all borders.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) RP Meena said, 'We have deployed heavy police force in the border areas of the district. Eight contingents of paramilitary forces will assist the police along the borders. '
Haryana completely sealed the borders with Punjab, farmers condemned
Haryana has completely sealed all its borders with Punjab. This step was taken after the farmers of Punjab gathered near the borders of Haryana for the proposed 'Delhi Chalo' march against the agricultural laws of the Center.
Officials said that a large number of Haryana Police has been deployed along the borders with Punjab. He said that Haryana Police has been deployed in sufficient numbers on the borders along Delhi.
In Haryana, the BJP government had said that it would close its borders with Punjab on November 26 and 27 in view of the farmers marching towards Delhi. 'Delhi Chalo' is ready for the performance.
He said, "We are ready to move towards Delhi to pressure the central government to withdraw its new laws which are not in the interest of the farmer community."
Farmers of Punjab are representing 30 farmer organizations.
All arrangements including ration, water are visible on the tractors of the farmers. They have started gathering on their tractor-trolleys near the borders of Haryana.
He also condemned Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's decision to seal the borders of the state.
Meanwhile, a group of farmers protesting in Ambala and Kurukshetra districts were showered with water to disperse them and prevent them from going to Delhi.
Haryana authorities have also imposed Section 144 of CrPC in many areas to stop the protest.
Meanwhile, during the winter and rainy season, thousands of farmers spent the night in temporary tents and tractor-trolleys.
Farmers' organizations have said that wherever they are stopped going to the national capital, they will sit on dharna wherever they are stopped.
In Haryana, the opposition Congress has also accused the BJP-led government of trying to suppress the voice of the farmers.
Restricting farmers from peaceful demonstrations is absolutely wrong: Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has condemned this action against farmers and has termed the agricultural laws as anti-farmer.
Kejriwal said on Thursday that it is absolutely wrong to stop farmers from holding peaceful demonstrations and showered water on them in protest against the agricultural laws brought by the central government.He said, 'What message do you want Modi and Khattar to give by raising the soldiers in front of the farmer? They are plotting to push the country into the pit of 'civil war' and that too on the occasion of Constitution Day. '
He said, 'Both the farmers and the constitution are disturbed, the watchman is sleeping, the sheet is tan!'
It may be noted that the three agricultural related legislations - Farmer Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Price Assurance Contracts and Agricultural Services Bill, 2020 and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill on behalf of Central Government. On September 27, 2020, the President had approved on September 20, against which farmers are protesting.
Farmers fear that the government is ending the established system of providing minimum support price (MSP) through these ordinances and if implemented, farmers will have to live on the mercy of the traders.
On the other hand, the BJP-led Modi government at the Center has repeatedly denied this. The government is calling these ordinances 'historic agricultural reform'. He says that they are making an alternative system for the sale of agricultural produce.
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