Punjab: Farmers’ march to Delhi begins today, all eyes on Shambhu border
Punjab: Tension is mounting at the Shambhu border on National Highway-44, the epicentre of the Kisan Andolan 2.0, as the first group of farmers called ‘Marjeevda Jatha’ is set to march towards the national capital tomorrow. The situation turned serious after the Haryana government imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC (Section 163 of Indian Civil Security Code), banning any procession in Ambala. As per the schedule, the protesting farmers – part of the SKM (non-political) – will gather at the Shambhu border and offer prayers to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. At around 1 pm, the first “Marjeevda Jatha” comprising 100 farmers will leave for Delhi.
Ahead of the ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest, Deputy Inspector General of Police Mandeep Singh Sidhu (Patiala Range), Patiala SSP Nanak Singh and SP Sarfaraz Alam met farmer leaders at the Shambhu border today and asked them to suspend their protest march. He told them that vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar has come in their favour and has asked the government to hold talks with the farmers and prevent the situation from worsening further. The meeting lasted for about half an hour, but the farmer leaders did not relent. Later, Haryana DSPs Rajat Gulia and Ram Kumar held a meeting with farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher, Satnam Singh Pannu, Gurmanet Singh Mangat and others. They urged the farmers to reconsider their decision, but to no avail.
The police refused to speak to the media, but Mangat said police officials asked him to show the permission for the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. “Unless farmers are allowed to take out a procession, Haryana police will not let us take out a march,” he said. Addressing media persons, Pandher said it would be a peaceful march and no vehicle would be used. The Marjeevda jatha will mainly comprise elderly men and women. They will carry water bottles and wet cloth to protect themselves from tear gas shells or water cannon attacks. Pandher said, “Following the teachings of Guru Teg Bahadur, who sacrificed his life to protect human rights, the farmers, who are part of the “Marjivda Jatha”, are determined to sacrifice their lives for the rights of farmers.” … He said the DC was spreading misinformation that thousands of farmers would move towards Delhi from the Shambhu border on tractors and trolleys and that they would be carrying weapons.
