Delhi Chalo: Chaos at Shambhu border as Haryana police stop farmers from proceeding march

Farmers marching towards Delhi under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha were stopped at the Shambhu border by Haryana police on Friday. A ‘jatha’ of 101 farmers resumed their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march from Ambala on Friday seeking Minimum Support price (MSP) and implementation of various other demands.

Security has been intensified at the border and barricades were set up to stop farmers from proceeding to the national capital. The farmers said they are open to talks and either the Centre should conduct talks with them or allow them to proceed with their peaceful protest. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesting farmers.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "We should be allowed to go towards Delhi peacefully or there should be talks about our demands. The doors for talks are open from the farmers' side. We have been saying that if the government wants to talk, then show us the letter of the central government or the CM office of Haryana or Punjab... We want the central government to accept our demands,” ANI reported. Pandher said they should be allowed a place to protest in Delhi and internet services should be restored in Ambala. 

In Ambala, mobile internet and bulk SMS services have been suspended as a precautionary measure in 11 villages along the border. The services have been suspended for three days, till December 9. 

The services have been suspended over apprehensions of "tension, annoyance, agitation and disturbance of public peace" in the region, in view of farmers’ protests. The ban was enforced in Dangdehri, Lohgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Lhars, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar, Saddopur, Sultanpur, and Kakru villages of Ambala at Friday noon, PTI reported.

The Ambala district administration has also issued prohibitory orders to prevent the protests. Orders were issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to restrict any unlawful assembly of five or more persons in the district. The order also prohibits taking out any procession on foot, vehicles, or other modes.