More than thousand farmers from Punjab have gathered at the border area of Haryana as they plan to march towards Delhi on November 26, that is, today over controversial farm laws. The farmers of five states – Uttar Pradesh. Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Kerala and Punjab — have called for a showdown as they conduct ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to the national capital on Thursday and Friday.
The farmers are expected to reach Delhi through five highways connecting the national capital. To stop the farmers, security arrangements have been made at the borders with Delhi at Gurugram and Faridabad.
Heavy security has been deployed on Delhi-Jammu highway near Karna Lake in Karnal, in view of farmer’s protest march to Delhi, ANI tweeted. It also quoted a commuter as saying, ” The highway has been blocked since late last night. Many vehicles are stuck here.”
Meanwhile, the Delhi government, which is finding ways to tackle the worst covid-19 outbreak in the city, has denied the permission to rally.
In the BJP-ruled state Haryana, CM Manohar Lal Khattar has ordered to seal the border with Punjab on Thursday and Friday. In order to stop the farmers to enter in the state from Congress-led Punjab, security measures such as water cannons, barricades, riot vehicles have been prepared.
Haryana has also suspended bus services linked with Punjab for the next two days to stop any movement between the two states. Meanwhile, farmers are determined to march as they spent whole night at the border. In case they are stopped by the neighbouring states, they will hold sit-down protests.
According to the Bharatiya Kisan Union (EKta-Ugrahan), more than two lakh farmers will enter Haryana to show solidarity.
“We are ready for the battle, which may last long,” said BKU (Ekta-Ugarhan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan.
The farmers have brought ration, vegetables, wood, quilts and other essential items as they remain determined to hold protests.
Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal extended his support to the farmers and tweeted, “By stopping Punjabi farmers from peacefully exercising democratic rights centre is repeating 1980 when the Akalis were stopped from entering Delhi to protest.”
Meanwhile, to console the protesting farmers, Centre on Wednesday announced second round of ministerial talks on December 3 to negotiate. The Centre has invited several Punjab Union of farmers to discuss the laws until differences are resolved.
