Punjab Farmers’ March to Delhi Halted as Haryana Police Seal Khanauri Border
In a move that has left hundreds of farmers stranded, the Haryana police have sealed the Khanauri border point on the Punjab side, preventing them from marching towards Delhi. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), led by Jagjit Dallewal, had given a call for the “Kisan Bachao Padyatra” from Data Singh Wala village on the Haryana-Punjab border to Jantar Mantar in Delhi, culminating in a farmers’ panchayat in the national capital on August 29.
The march was planned against the proposed India-US trade deal and to press for a legal guarantee for procuring crops at the minimum support price (MSP). Three rounds of talks between representatives of the SKM (Non-Political) and Haryana government officials remained inconclusive. Dallewal rejected the officials’ offer of a meeting with the Haryana chief minister and insisted on arranging an appointment with the Union agriculture minister to discuss their main issue — the proposed India-US trade deal.
Security Beefed Up at Khanauri Border
The Jind police have tightened security at the border ahead of the proposed farmers’ march to Delhi and sealed it with five-layer barricading. A large police force has been deployed near the Narwana canal bridge, and concrete barricades, water cannons, and riot control vehicles have been positioned to deal with any attempt to breach the security. The authorities in Haryana have also clamped prohibitory orders, diverting traffic through alternative routes.
Farmers’ Demands and Plans
The farmers are demanding that agriculture, dairy, poultry, fisheries, and other allied sectors be kept out of the proposed India-US trade pact. They are also seeking a law to guarantee the procurement of all crops at the MSP based on the Swaminathan Commission’s C2+50 per cent formula. Additionally, they want measures to free them from debt, an increase in the fair and remunerative price (FRP) of sugarcane, implementation of the written assurances given by the Centre during talks with farmer organisations, and the withdrawal of all cases registered in connection with farmers’ movements.
The march was to begin from Data Singh Wala and would have passed through Narwana, Uchana, Khatkar Toll, Jind, Ludhiana, Gohana, Israna, Samalkha, and the Singhu border point, before reaching Jantar Mantar. Dallewal said that 51 farmers from various parts of the country were to participate in the march, accompanied by around 200 SKM (Non-Political) volunteers and supporters.
Dallewal Rejects Haryana Officials’ Offer
Dallewal rejected the Haryana officials’ offer of a meeting with the chief minister, saying that the Union agriculture minister should hold a meeting with them. He added that they will sit on the side of the road and will not budge until their demands are met. The Haryana authorities had asked them to reduce the number of participants, but Dallewal said they could bring it down from 51 to 41.
Sealing of Border Exposes BJP Government’s Anti-Farmer Face
Dallewal claimed that the proposed India-US trade deal will have an adverse effect on India’s farmers and farming sector. He said that the deal would allow cheaper agricultural imports into India, affecting domestic farm incomes and the country’s agricultural economy. Dallewal added that the government feels that if the farmers reach Delhi, they will raise questions on the trade deal and it will have no answer.
The proposed march was a significant move by the farmers to press their demands and highlight the plight of the farming community. However, the Haryana police’s decision to seal the Khanauri border has left the farmers stranded, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days.