Farmers Unyielding: Tear Gas Erupts in Resumed March, Talks on Horizon

In the heart of New Delhi, the impending revival of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march by protesting farmers has prompted a bolstering of security along the city’s borders. The Haryana Police, in anticipation, has formally requested their counterparts in Punjab to impound bulldozers reportedly accompanying the protesters from Punjab. This measure comes as they gear up to recommence their ‘Delhi Chalo’ journey starting from the interstate border.

Embarking on their march from two distinct points along the Punjab-Haryana border, the farmers find themselves at this juncture due to the breakdown of four rounds of negotiations with the Central authorities regarding a legally assured minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural produce. Despite being still over 200 kilometers away from the national capital, the Delhi Police, on Tuesday, underwent tactical exercises to fortify their heavily barricaded entry points, ensuring no breaches occur.

According to estimates from the Central government, approximately 14,000 individuals have congregated along the Punjab-Haryana border. This assembly comprises 1,200 tractor-trolleys, 300 automobiles, 10 mini-buses, and various smaller vehicles. The government has communicated its vehement objections to the Punjab administration regarding this gathering. Concurrently, the Union Home Ministry has expressed concerns about the deteriorating law-and-order scenario in the state, urging stringent actions against those disrupting public order.

Initiating their journey to Delhi on February 13, thousands of farmers faced impediments at the Haryana border itself, leading to clashes with security personnel. Since then, the farmers have established encampments at the Shambhu and Khanauri points along the border shared by Punjab and Haryana.