New Delhi: Farmers have once again announced a march to Delhi, prompting the administration to heighten its vigilance. In response to this announcement, the administration in Jind sealed the Haryana-Punjab border at Khanauri late at night. The police are making every effort to prevent the farmers from marching towards Delhi.
A five-layer barricade has been set up at the border to stop the farmers from advancing towards the capital. The administration appears fully prepared. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal had announced that the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) would launch a 228-kilometre-long ‘Kisan Bachao Padyatra’ (Save Farmers Foot March) starting August 16, in protest against the India-US trade deal.
When will the march reach Delhi?
The administration is now closely monitoring the farmers’ foot march. The march is scheduled to begin at Datasinghwala on August 16 and reach Jantar Mantar in Delhi on August 29. Authorities are on high alert and have significantly stepped up security arrangements at the border to prevent this march to Delhi.
Following farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s call for the Delhi march, the Haryana Police have completely sealed the road leading to Delhi at the Punjab-Haryana Khanauri border.
Clash between police and farmers
A scuffle broke out between farmers and the police in Jind on Saturday. The farmers are protesting against the India-US trade deal. A non-SKM farmer organization, led by farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, is also undertaking a foot march.
Apart from 51 core participants, 200 other farmers are also taking part in this march. According to reports, the march is scheduled to reach Delhi on August 29. Meanwhile, following the announcement of the march, the police have initiated blockade measures.
Police Tighten Security Arrangements
It is worth noting that the administration has set up five layers of barricading to prevent farmers from marching to Delhi. A heavy police force has been deployed, and stringent security measures have been put in place. Meanwhile, following the announcement of the march to Delhi, the farmers have issued a warning to the administration: if the police attempt to stop them from marching or proceeding on foot, they will launch an indefinite sit-in protest right there.
Farmers Gear Up to Raise Key Issues
Farmers are preparing to raise several major issues upon reaching Delhi, and all preparations for this are complete. This foot march is being organised in memory of Shubhkaran, a farmer who lost his life during the agitation. During the march, the farmers’ long-standing demands will be highlighted prominently. They will also raise their voices regarding various issues, including the demand to scrap the India-US trade deal. Maintaining law and order will pose a significant challenge for the administration and police as farmers’ organisations prepare for this march to Delhi.
