Farmer Protest: On Wednesday, farmers’ associations will resubmit their application to enter Delhi and hold demonstrations in favour of their requests. The Delhi Police has increased security at the borders of Tikri, Singhu, and Ghazipur, as well as at train and metro stations and bus stops, in light of the planned protests.
Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s Invitation
Farmers from all over the nation were invited by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) to come to Delhi on Wednesday, March 6. In an effort to put pressure on the central government to accede to their demands—which include a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, waivers of farm debt, and an end to electricity tariff hikes—the farmers also called for a four-hour nationwide rail roko on March 10.
“Our program to march to Delhi is as it is, we’ve not stepped back from it. It has been decided that we will increase our strength on the borders. On March 6, farmers will come to (Delhi) from all over the country by train, bus, air and we will see whether the government will allow them to sit there or not. On March 10, we will hold ‘Rail Roko’ protest across the country from 12 pm to 4 pm,” farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal had said earlier.
Farmers’ February 13 Protest Sparks Border Standoff
On February 13, the farmers began their ‘Delhi Chalo‘ protest, but the security forces halted them at the Punjab-Haryana border, sparking multiple altercations. Since then, the farmers have remained at the borders between Punjab and Haryana at Shambhu and Khanauri. At least four rounds of negotiations regarding the demands of the protesting farmers and the Centre have been held thus far, but to no result.
Given the demand for a “Delhi Chalo” march issued by various farmer outfits, the Delhi Police have beefed up security at the borders of Tikri, Singhu, and Ghazipur, as well as at train and metro stations and bus stops. Personnel from the police have been told to keep a close eye on certain regions.
