Farmers Protest – 2.0 Confrontation with Police at Shambhu Border Over Urgent MSP Demand

Farmers Protest 2.0 : Read about the clash between protesting farmers and police at Shambhu border over the MSP demand. Samyukta Kisan Morcha condemns excessive state power. Join the call for peaceful protest.

Farmers Protest 2.0 : Clash at Shambhu Border

In a tense escalation of the ongoing farmers’ protest, clashes erupted between protesters and police at the Shambhu border connecting Punjab and Haryana. The farmers attempted to breach barricades to cross over to Delhi, putting pressure on the Centre to accept their Minimum Support Price (MSP) demand.

Police Response and Movement Blockade

Police responded with tear gas shells and water cannons to thwart the farmers’ attempt to enter Delhi. Heavy barricades, reinforced with iron nails and barbed wires, were deployed to block their movement. Multiple checkpoints were manned by a large contingent of police personnel to prevent the farmers from advancing. Section 144 was imposed in the national capital as a precautionary measure.

Demand for MSP Guarantee

Sarwan Singh Pandher, General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, emphasized the farmers’ demand for a legal guarantee on MSP. He urged the Prime Minister to engage in dialogue with the farmers to address their concerns and ensure fair pricing for their crops.

Traffic Disruption and Condemnation by Samyukta Kisan Morcha

The protests caused severe disruptions to traffic, particularly at the Ghazipur border, with snarls witnessed across the Delhi-NCR region. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) strongly condemned the central government’s use of excessive force, including lathi charges, rubber bullets, tear gas shelling, and mass arrests, to suppress the Delhi Chalo March organized by farmer organizations.

Reason For Protest 2.0

In 2020, farmers staged protests against three contentious farm laws, which were eventually repealed by the central government in 2021. Presently, the ongoing Delhi Chalo protest demands a legal assurance for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on all crops, complete debt forgiveness for farmers, pension provisions, the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s formula, and the withdrawal of legal actions against protesters from the 2020 demonstrations.

While the 2020 protests were led by the Bhartiya Kisan Union and Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the current Delhi Chalo protest sees various unions taking the forefront due to evolving union dynamics. Notably, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have declared the initiation of Farmers’ Protest 2.0.

Prominent figures like Rakesh Tikait and Gurnam Singh Charuni led the 2020 protests, but this time, Jagjit Singh Dallewal of SKM (non-political) and Sarwan Singh Pandher, general secretary of Sarwan Singh Pandher, are leading the charge for Delhi Chalo 2.0.

While the previous government conceded to some demands, like withdrawing cases against protesters, a legal MSP guarantee was not granted. This time, negotiations began prior to the commencement of Delhi Chalo. Initial talks between farmer leaders and Union ministers occurred on February 8, followed by another meeting on February 12.

Unlike in 2020, stringent measures have been implemented to deter farmers’ entry into Delhi, including barbed wire, cement barricades, and road obstructions. Delhi has enforced Section 144, and the Haryana government has closed its borders with Punjab, tightening access to the capital.

Call for Peaceful Protest

Expressing shock at the administration’s use of drones to drop tear gas shells on protesters, the SKM urged its member organizations nationwide to protest against the attack on farmers in Punjab. They called for widespread Grameen Bandh (rural shutdown) and Industrial/Sectoral Strikes across the country to demand justice for the farmers.

“In a democratic society, every citizen has the right to protest peacefully. The government must address the concrete demands of the people to protect their livelihood,” the press release emphasized.

Conclusion

The clash between protesting farmers and police underscores the urgency of addressing the MSP demand and ensuring fair treatment for agricultural workers. As tensions escalate, calls for peaceful protest and dialogue resonate, emphasizing the need for a resolution that respects the rights and livelihoods of all involved.

For more news : https://expresstimes.in/basant-panchami-2024/