Deadlock persists despite four rounds of talks between farmer leaders and Union ministers
New Delhi:
The Shambhu border, separating Haryana and Punjab, has become ground zero for the ongoing farmers’ protest. Farmer leaders have been strategically placed in the buffer zone to avoid possible confrontation with the police.
In preparation for the march towards Delhi, farmer organizations have formed a human chain at the Shambhu border. On one side, a line of diggers and tractors stand in defiance, and on the other side the Haryana Police. With concerns over the possible use of heavy machinery by protesting farmers to break the barricades and enter Haryana, Punjab and Haryana Police are on high alert.
As the clashes are intensifying, Delhi Police has strengthened the national capital with a multi-layered security apparatus. Delhi’s key border points – Singhu Border, Tikri Border and Ghazipur Border – have been strengthened with barricades made of barbed wire, nails, cement and stone walls, along with water cannons and anti-riot equipment. .
The security measures implemented include deployment of long range acoustic devices (LRADs), creating unbearable noise, and cancellation of all leaves of Delhi Police personnel. Historical sites like Red Fort and India Gate have also been kept under tight security.
Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana have become the focal point of the current standoff. The farmers, armed with excavators, are determined to break the barricades put up by Haryana security personnel.
Despite four rounds of talks between farmer leaders and Union ministers, the deadlock continues. The recent rejection of the government’s proposal to purchase pulses, maize and cotton crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP) for five years has further increased the resolve of the protesting farmers.
In response to rising tensions, the Haryana government has extended restrictions on mobile internet and bulk text-messaging services in seven districts. Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa remain under these restrictions, highlighting the government’s concerns about maintaining law and order. Despite the confrontational atmosphere, farmer leaders are insisting on a peaceful march towards Delhi from Shambhu and Khanauri border points.
The demands put forward by the protesting farmers, including a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP), implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations and farm loan waiver, remain the core of the movement.
