Delhi is preparing for a fresh wave of traffic disruptions as farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) plan a 'Dilli Chalo' march from the Shambhu border on Friday. Prohibitory orders banning large gatherings have been imposed in Haryana's Ambala and a heavy security presence has been stationed to prevent any disturbances.
The march to the Parliament building is scheduled to begin today at 1 PM from the Shambhu protest site. This will be the second such march this week. Earlier on Monday, farmers from Uttar Pradesh attempted to reach Parliament but were stopped in Noida, leading to massive traffic snarls along the border.
Key Demands Of Protesting Farmers
The protesting farmers are demanding several key reforms, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of crops, farm debt waivers, pensions for farmers and their labourers, the withdrawal of police cases, a rollback of electricity tariff hikes and justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Since February 13, they have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana after security forces halted their initial march to Delhi.
To counter the planned march, central paramilitary forces have been deployed on the Haryana side of the border. Multi-layered barricades have been set up, and senior police officers are on-site to monitor the situation. The prohibitory orders in place effectively ban gatherings of more than four people, thereby preventing any processions, whether on foot or by vehicle.
The ongoing protests have also drawn judicial attention. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court remarked on the balance between democratic rights and public inconvenience. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan stated, "In a democratic setup, you can engage in peaceful protests, but do not cause inconvenience to people. The Khanauri border is a lifeline for Punjab. We are not commenting on whether the protest is right or wrong."
Tensions Spark At Protest Sites
Tensions at the protest sites have already escalated. On February 21, a farmer from Punjab, Shubhkaran Singh, died during clashes at the Khanauri border. The violence erupted when protesters attempted to march towards Delhi, prompting security forces to respond with teargas shells.
As the situation unfolds, Delhiites and commuters from neighbouring states brace for potential disruptions, while the farmers remain steadfast in their demands for agricultural reforms and justice.
