Protesters allege government confusion and heavy-handed police actions amid demands for agricultural reforms.
Patiala, December 10, 2024 – The ‘Dilli Chalo’ march by Punjab farmers has been temporarily suspended for a day as leaders deliberate on their next steps. The decision, taken during a meeting of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) at the Shambhu border, underscores the complexities surrounding the farmers’ ongoing protests against agricultural policies.
Protest Details
Farmers have been staging sit-ins at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13. Their demands include:
- Legal guarantees for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
- Waivers for farm debts.
- Pension schemes for farmers and laborers.
- Justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
- Withdrawal of police cases against protesting farmers.
- A halt to proposed electricity tariff hikes.
Clashes with Authorities
Two earlier attempts to march toward Delhi on December 6 and 8 were thwarted by heavy police action. Security forces, including the Haryana Police and paramilitary personnel, deployed tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. Over 30 farmers were injured, including prominent leaders like Surjit Singh Phool and Dilbagh Singh.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher claimed that on December 8, he faced intense tear gas shelling while attempting to guide protesters to retreat. Leaders also accused the police of selectively targeting farm union heads to undermine the movement.
Government Criticized for Conflicting Messages
Pandher criticized the contradictory statements from government representatives. He noted that Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu suggested farmers should walk to Delhi to be “welcomed with garlands,” while former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar recommended they travel by vehicles.
“These conflicting messages highlight the government’s confusion and unwillingness to engage meaningfully with the protest’s demands,” Pandher said.
Concerns for Fasting Farmer Leader
At Khanauri, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast for the past 14 days. His deteriorating condition has raised alarms among protesters, with union leader Abhimanyu Kohar warning that the central government would bear responsibility for any adverse outcomes.
Pandher reiterated that any attempt by authorities to forcibly hospitalize Dallewal would be met with resistance from the farmers.
Community Support and Medical Aid
Farmer leaders visited injured protesters in hospitals across Rajpura and Patiala on Monday, offering support to those affected by the clashes. They emphasized that the protests would continue until the government provides concrete resolutions to their longstanding demands.
What’s Next?
The farm unions are set to hold another meeting today to determine their future strategy. Meanwhile, the protesters remain steadfast in their demands, camping at the Punjab-Haryana border points and refusing to retreat until their voices are heard.
Key Questions
- Will the government engage with farmers to resolve these issues or continue to deflect?
- How can the police’s approach to managing protests be balanced with respect for democratic rights?
- Can the movement achieve its objectives without escalating tensions further?
The evolving situation continues to draw national attention, as the farmers’ resilience highlights the pressing need for reforms in India’s agricultural sector.
This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.
