‘Dilli Chalo’ march top developments: Section 144 in Delhi, plea in Punjab and Haryana HC against internet suspension; and more

The directive, issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, forbids all forms of rallies, processions, and the obstruction of roads and passages with effect from February 12. Farmers from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana are expected to enter Delhi during their march in support of various demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for all the crops.

A plea, meanwhile, has been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the suspension of internet services in several districts of Haryana and the sealing of borders in view of the protest.

The protest call has been given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) seeking MSP on all crops, punishment to culprits in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, quashing of all FIRs lodged during the farmers’ stir and Rs 10,000 per month pension for farmers aged over 60, among other demands.

Here’s a round-up of the top developments so far:

Heavy security, multi-layered barricading at Delhi borders 

Extensive deployment of police and paramilitary forces, along with the implementation of multi-layered barricades, has been initiated to seal the national capital borders at Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur. This strategic measure aims to prevent protesting farmers from entering the city during their planned march. Drones are being utilised by the police to maintain strict surveillance at border points.

Union ministers begin talks with farmer leaders

The farmers’ leaders held a second round of talks in Chandigarh on Monday evening with the Union ministers to press for their demands, including the enactment of a law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) for crops. They will proceed to Delhi based on the outcomes of the talks.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher, among others, were part of the meeting, the outcome of which is awaited.

The first such meeting with Union ministers was held on February 8.

1,200 cops deployed at entry and exit points in Chandigarh; Sec 144 in parts of Punjab, Haryana

Ahead of Tuesday’s Delhi march, the Chandigarh administration has deployed 1,200 police personnel, installed barricades and blocked roads at all entry and exit points in the Union Territory.

Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was imposed in Chandigarh on Sunday for 60 days.  The Haryana government also ordered the suspension of mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts from February 11 to 13. Section 144 also imposed in 15 out of the 22 districts of Haryana. Haryana Police installed concrete blocks and metal sheets to seal the both sides of the highway at Shambhu barrier over river Ghaggar in Ambala. The river bed was also dug up to prevent farmers from reaching the highway through tractors, said officials.

Rajasthan seals border with Punjab

After Haryana, Rajasthan on Saturday also closed its borders with Punjab at Sadhuwali location in Sri Ganganagar district. Additionally, Section 144 has been imposed in Sri Ganganagar, which borders Punjab’s Fazilka, Muktsar, and Bathinda districts. Many farmer unions in Rajasthan had already announced their participation in the march.

UP farmers to join with over 500 tractor-trolleys

Over 500 tractor-trolleys carrying farmers and farm labourers will march from Uttar Pradesh on February 13 to participate in the march, as announced by the BKU. A few other unions that are part of KMM will also be participating.

Union minister Piyush Goyal met farm leaders in Punjab

The first round of talks between farmer union leaders and Union ministers took place in Chandigarh on February 8.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Thursday, stated that a consensus was reached on several demands of the farmers during a meeting with Union ministers, including Food and Civil Supplies Minister Piyush Goyal, Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, and Minister of State Nityanand Rai.

BKU leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, however, said that their plan to move towards Delhi on February 13 remained unchanged.

Dallewal stated that their major demand for MSP guarantee on all crops did not reach any consensus. Goyal mentioned that this was a policy matter, and the decision would be taken after going to Delhi. He also questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s report as Gujarat Chief Minister, stating MSP could be given on all crops, couldn’t be implemented now.

Farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, held a year-long protest on Delhi’s border points — Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur — against the three now-repealed farm laws.