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Ahead of the farmer organisations’ call for a ‘Dilli Chalo’ march on Tuesday, 13 February, Delhi Police has imposed Section 144 across the national capital. Several preparations have also been made at Delhi’s borders.
The farmers are marching to Delhi on Tuesday to seek the implementation of minimum support price (MSP), the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, and a waiver of farmers debts, among other things.
A second round of talks between Union ministers and farmer union leaders began on Monday evening, to discuss the demands being made.
The general secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Sarvan Singh Pandher, said, "We will start from Beas and stay at Fatehgarh Sahib. Our demands are the same- MSP guarantee law, Sugar cane should be joined with C200...When a farmer turns 60 years old he should be given Rs 10,000 a month."
"It is unfortunate that the Indian farmer is called anti-national. We are not anti-national, we are the citizens of this country...For 75 years our demands were not heard...We will move peacefully & our objective is that the government listen to our demands," he added. Security personnel stand guard near Singhu Border ahead of the scheduled Delhi Chalo march by the protesting farmers
However, cement barricades and iron nails have been put up amid heavy policy deployment.
Additionally, a petition was filed on Monday before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, challenging the internet shutdown and other "obstructive actions" taken by the central and state governments in view of the farmers march.
The plea argues that the sealing of border between Haryana and Punjab prevents the farmers "from exercising their constitutional right to assembly and protest peacefully," according to a report by LiveLaw.
Security personnel deployed near Singhu border in view of farmers Delhi Chalo March in Haryana's Sonipat district.
(Photo: PTI)
‘Cement Barricades, Iron Nails & More’
A cap of 10-litres has been imposed for tractors at fuel pumps.
The Haryana government has put up cement barricades, barbed wires, and iron nails on the roads leading to Delhi.
Large units of police officials have been deployed.
Section 144 has been imposed in many districts, including at Delhi's Ghazipur border, Tikri border, and Singhu border.
Route diversions have been announced.
Mobile internet services have been suspended in seven Haryana districts from 11 to 13 February.
The Shambhu border has been closed for vehicular movement.
Delhi Police is on high alert and has been carrying out "mock drills".
A traffic advisory was also issued by the Delhi Police on Monday, in light of the farmers' march.
Farmers' Demands
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have released a statement, laying out their demands. Here are a few key demands that the farmer unions have put forth:
MSP guarantee law
Complete debt waivers for farmers and farm labourers
Import duty on agricultural commodities, milk products, fruits, vegetables, meats, etc, should be increased.
Rs 10,000 pension scheme for farmers and farm labourers above the age of 58 years
Over 200 days of employment under MNREGA
Pending demands of previous Delhi farmers movement should be fulfilled
- 01/02
(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)
- 02/02
(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)
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