Agitating farmers resume ‘Delhi chalo’ march, internet suspended in Haryana’s Ambala

A group of 101 farmers on Dec 14 resumed their ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest march from Haryana's Shambhu border prompting police to fire tear gas and use water cannons to disperse them.

Also, hours before farmers resumed their 'Delhi Chalo' protest march, the Haryana government suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 12 villages of Ambala district to maintain "public order".

However, the agitating farmers’ leaders maintained that it was their “right" to go to the national capital to press the union government to fulfil their “genuine demands”.

As their protest reaches its 307th day, the leaders said that they are awaiting talks with the union government and urged citizens for a nationwide support for their movement.

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) leader Sarwan Singh Pandher accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan of remaining silent on the issue and maintaining a distance from it.

"The Union Agriculture Minister has not been speaking about the protest either and the way BJP MPs are doing 'bayanbazi' is going to cause division in communities. The government agencies are trying their best to ensure that the 'morcha' does not win. They are trying to prove that even if all of Punjab and Haryana come together, even then the morcha cannot win," Pandher was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

He said the farmers want to show as to how a collective effort by ordinary citizens can be influential in bringing about changes in the nation's laws and governance.

Meanwhile, the Ambala Superintendent of Police (SP) told farmers to seek proper permission if they want to go to the national capital.

"Once you get the permission, we will allow you to go. There was a hearing in the Supreme Court yesterday...Instructions have been given to hold a meeting...The next date of the meeting is December 18. We appeal to you to sit here peacefully and follow the rules," the police officer was quoted as saying.

As the farmers did not stop their march, police resorted to tear gas and water cannons to disperse them.

Farmers have intensified their protests in recent days, and blocked the roads at the Shambhu border and Khanauri border. Amid the harsh weather conditions, they have been continued their protest and camped in makeshift arrangements at the borders.

Other than a legal guarantee to Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases, and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Dec 13 asked the Centre and Punjab to ensure necessary medical aid is provided to farmer Jagjit Singh Dallewal, chief of Samyukta Kisan Morcha, who has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border since Nov 26.

A top court bench of justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan recently asked authorities to have a direct dialogue with Dallewal, saying "his life is more precious than any agitation".

Notably, heavy security has also been deployed in the border areas ahead of the resumption of the protest march.

Internet, and SMS services suspended

The services will remain suspended till Dec 17, according to an order issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sumita Misra said.

"It has been brought to my notice by the additional director general of police, CID, Haryana and deputy commissioner, Ambala that given the call for Delhi Kooch given by certain farmers' organisations, there is an apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage of public and private property and disturbance of public peace and tranquillity in the area of districts Ambala," the order said.

The mobile internet services are suspended in Dangdehri, Lehgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Choti Ghel, Lharsa, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar (Hira Nagar, Naresh Vihar), Saddopur, Sultanpur and Kakru villages in Ambala.

The suspension shall remain in force from 6 am on Dec 14 to 11.59 pm on Dec 17, it said.

The authorities in their order noted that there is a clear possibility of disruption for public utilities, damage to public assets and amenities and disturbance of public law and order in the district.

"To stop the spread of misinformation and rumours through various social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Twitter on mobile phones and SMS, for facilitation and mobilisation of mobs of agitators and demonstrators who can cause serious loss of life and damage to public and private properties by indulging in arson or vandalism and other types of violent activities," the order read.