Farmer’s Protest Intensifies: Section 144, Heavy Security in Delhi, What’s Next?

Farmer’s Protest: Different farmer organizations in Punjab have called for ‘Delhi’ Chalo’ march. In such a situation, a large number of farmers are expected to reach Delhi on Wednesday (6 March). Keeping this in mind, Delhi Police said on Tuesday (March 5) that they have tightened security at the capital’s railway stations and Interstate Bus Terminal (ISBT). Every person coming and going is being monitored. The police seem to be fully prepared for the march.

The farmers’ protest is being led by two farmer organizations ‘Kisan Mazdoor Morcha’ (KMM) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political). On March 3, both organizations appealed to farmers across the country to reach Delhi in large numbers on Wednesday (March 6). To come to Delhi, they should take the help of trains and buses. Due to the proposed protest, Delhi Police has also increased security at Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur borders. Apart from this, all the metro stations of the capital are also being monitored. 

Police deployed at railway station-bus stand for protesters

According to the Hindustan Times report, a senior police officer with knowledge of the security arrangements in Delhi said on Tuesday that teams have been deployed at railway stations and bus stands, which will arrest the protesters who reach the city. Maximum deployment has been done at railway stations and bus stands, because farmer organizations have asked farmers to go to Delhi only through these. Farmers have not yet got a chance to come to Delhi.

Section 144 implemented in Delhi

On the condition of anonymity, the officer said, ‘Section 144 has been implemented in Delhi. Under this, gathering of four or more people in one area is not allowed. Additional companies of police forces have been deployed at all possible places where protesters may gather. We will take them into custody there immediately. There will be no barricading on the city roads. However, we will keep a close watch on the movement of vehicles on various roads from time to time.

Railways also prepared for ‘Rail Roko’ movement

Farmer organizations have also called for ‘Rail Roko’ movement across the country on March 10. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Railways) KPS Malhotra has said that security arrangements have been tightened inside and outside the railway stations to avoid any untoward incident. He said, ‘We are constantly monitoring the movement of passengers at railway stations.’ Security has been increased at some major railway stations of Delhi like New Delhi, Old Delhi, Anand Vihar, Sarai Rohilla.

Farmers’ demonstration going on since February

Actually, the farmers started their demonstration on 13 February under the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. The protesting farmers were stopped at the borders of Punjab and Haryana, due to which incidents of clashes were also seen. Since then, farmers are stuck at Shambhu and Khanauri border of Punjab-Haryana. Four rounds of talks have also taken place between the protesting farmers and the government, but no result has come so far. 

What is the demand of farmers? 

Farmers have several demands from the government, including minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, loan waiver for farmers and jobs for the families of farmers killed during the farmer protests that lasted from November 2020-December 2021. Apart from this, there is also a demand of the farmers to provide justice to the farmers killed in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence and to cancel the cases registered against the protesters during the farmers’ protest.