
On the morning of February 13, farmers from Punjab initiated their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to assert their demands, despite encountering substantial barricading at the Haryana-Punjab border and entry points into the National Capital.
The Haryana Police resorted to tear gas shells as a group of youths, participating in the farmers’ ‘Chalo Delhi’ protest march, attempted to breach the barricades set up at the Shambhu border in Ambala, according to officials.
Several farmers were also reportedly detained near the Shambhu border, as per official sources. To manage the situation, riot control vehicles, including water cannons, have been stationed at various points along the Punjab and Haryana borders. In Delhi, security measures have been heightened, featuring multi-layer barricades, concrete barriers, iron spikes, and container walls at border crossings.
Amid the ongoing farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge declared on Tuesday that if his party were to regain power, their government would ensure a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, prioritizing the welfare of farmers.
Addressing the audience during Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ in Ambikapur, the headquarters of Surguja district in Chhattisgarh, Kharge also took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cautioning people against trusting Modi’s assurances.
“I would like to announce from Chhattisgarh that legal guarantee to MSP with extensive procurement of crops for farmers as our guarantee (for upcoming Lok Sabha polls). If we come to power, then this guarantee will definitely be implemented. It is our first guarantee…,” he asserted.
Regarding the farmers’ protests on the Delhi border, Kharge questioned the measures taken against them, remarking, “The farmers who have been fighting for their rights (on the Delhi border), iron spikes were laid on the road and cement walls were placed to stop them. What kind of democracy is this? Can’t anyone fight for their rights?”
Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda emphasized that enacting a law to ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops should not be rushed without engaging all relevant stakeholders. He urged the farmer groups protesting to engage in structured discussions with the government regarding this matter.
Security measures have been heightened along Rajasthan’s borders with Haryana and Punjab, with mobile internet services suspended in three districts in anticipation of the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.
Inspector General of Police for Bikaner Range, Om Prakash, conducted a review of arrangements at the Ratanpura border, issuing necessary instructions and engaging with police personnel.
Mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended in Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar, and Anupgarh districts, while borders have been sealed as a precautionary measure. Additionally, due to security concerns, the Red Fort complex has been closed to visitors temporarily, as confirmed by a senior ASI official. A significant deployment of police and paramilitary forces has been observed in central Delhi in preparation for the farmers’ march.