Farmers begin ‘Dilli Chalo’ march, stopped by cops at Punjab-Haryana border

A ‘jatha’ of 101 farmers resumed their foot march to Delhi on Saturday from the Shambhu border point to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP).

However, the marching farmers were stopped by the police deployed at the Shambhu border, with Ambala’s Superintendent of Police (SP) telling the farmers that they should get permission from the authorities to match towards Delhi.”… if you want to go to Delhi, you should get proper permission and once you get the permission, we will allow you to go. There was a hearing in the Supreme Court yesterday… Instructions have been given to hold a meeting… The next date of the meeting is December 18. We appeal to you to sit here peacefully and follow the rules,” Ambala SP said to protesting farmers.Earlier in the day, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher questioned the government’s reasoning for preventing 101 farmers from marching on foot, deeming it unjustified. He also reiterated the demand for the government to initiate talks, emphasising the urgency of addressing their grievances to prevent an escalation of the protests.

The farmers’ agitation, which began on February 13 at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders between Punjab and Haryana, is rooted in demands including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops.

The protest gained further urgency after Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a prominent farmer leader, began a fast-unto-death on November 26. His deteriorating health has become a focal point of concern for both protesters and leaders, with reports indicating that he has lost 14 kilograms since his hunger strike began.