Farmers to Renew 'Delhi Chalo' March Today
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Chandigarh, Dec 14 (NationPress) Farmers are preparing to renew their 'Delhi Chalo' foot march on Saturday, advocating for the fulfillment of their longstanding demands, including a legal assurance for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and loan waivers.
The march will consist of a group of 101 farmers making their way towards the national capital as part of the ongoing protest that has now reached a duration of 10 months.
Since February 13, the farmers have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana after security forces thwarted their earlier attempts to head to Delhi.
The protest is organized under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced the decision to march towards Delhi, stating that farmers have prayed at Sikh shrines to express solidarity and seek blessings for the success of their movement.
Meanwhile, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for over 18 days at the Khanauri border, has experienced significant health deterioration. Doctors tending to him have reported declining weight and unstable blood pressure.
On Friday, the Supreme Court instructed the Punjab and Central governments to provide medical assistance for Dallewal, underscoring that his life takes precedence over the agitation. The court also proposed that the farmers adopt Gandhian methods of protest.
In preparation for the march, security at the interstate border along the Ghaggar rivulet has been intensified, with the deployment of central paramilitary forces and Haryana police.
During previous attempts to march, security forces utilized teargas shells to hinder farmers from crossing barricades. Temporary barricades, heavily manned by police and paramilitary personnel, were established to restrict their movement.
The protesting farmers had temporarily halted their march on December 8 after clashes with security personnel at Shambhu resulted in injuries. However, they remain steadfast in their demands, which include legal reforms to enhance the agricultural sector.
The Haryana Police had previously invoked prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to justify their actions in preventing the protestors from advancing. Despite this, the farmers are resolute in their aim to bring their grievances to the attention of Parliament.
