A March of 101 Farmers Protesting for Their Rights Begins Today in Haryana

Chandigarh, Dec 6 (NationPress) Tens of thousands of protesting farmers, primarily from Punjab, have assembled at two interstate borders of Haryana to support the 'Delhi Chalo' protest march initiated by a group of 101 farmers, set to commence at approximately 1 p.m. on Friday. Their demands include a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops and a loan waiver.

The decision to proceed towards the national capital follows two unsuccessful attempts by farmer groups under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) to reach Delhi in February, which were thwarted by security forces. Farmers have been stationed at the borders of Shambhu and Khanauri since February 13.

“An indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border has entered its eleventh day (as of December 6). At 1 p.m., a delegation of 101 farmers will proceed peacefully towards Delhi on foot from the Shambhu border,” announced farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher to the press.

The latest discussions between farmer leaders and the Central government yielded no results, as the protesters remained steadfast in their demands, insisting on walking to the national capital rather than using tractor-trailers.

Police forces from both states have been deployed in large numbers and have sealed borders to prevent the farmers from entering Haryana by force. Nevertheless, there have been no reports of violence or the use of force to disperse the protesters thus far.

Superintendent of Police Surender Singh Bhoria, stationed in Haryana’s Ambala, informed the media, “All arrangements have been made to uphold law and order. I urge all farmers to maintain peace. They may proceed to Delhi after fulfilling the necessary procedures.”

The district magistrate of Ambala has also prohibited any processions on foot, by vehicles, or through any other means. Additionally, gatherings of five or more unauthorized individuals are banned in Ambala district.

Another farmer leader, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border in support of the farmers' demands. Earlier, just before beginning his fast on November 26, he was forcibly removed from the border and taken to a hospital in Ludhiana but was later discharged at the insistence of the farmers.

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Pandher stated that nearly 10 months have passed without any of their demands being met by the central government.

The first “jatha” (delegation) of farmers heading towards Delhi will be led by Satnam Singh Pannu, Surinder Singh Chautala, Surjit Singh Phul, and Baljinder Singh.

The farmer leaders have cautioned that they are prepared for a prolonged struggle. Many have brought supplies, including vegetables, sacks of flour, lentils, and cooking oil on their tractor-trailers.

The protesting farmers, consisting of both men and women—young and old—as well as school and college students, have been gathering at the borders of Haryana in tractor-trailers, cars, and motorcycles.

The assembled farmers have set up tents and parked their vehicles, predominantly tractor-trailers, on roads leading to the interstate borders. They have even established makeshift kitchens to provide meals for the protesters.

“We have brought enough rations to last two to three months,” stated Gurdev Singh, a farmer from Moga town.

Both the Punjab and Haryana Police have issued travel advisories, urging commuters to avoid certain stretches along the Shambhu and Khanauri borders due to the ongoing protests.