As the all India strike, supported by dozens of trade organisations across the country, progress, the Delhi Chalo march organised by various farmer’s associations have hit literal roadblocks at the borders. Farmers from Punjab joined their counterparts in Haryana and rushed the borders where the police have placed roadblocks and barricades stopping the protestors from reaching the capital.
The police have also used water cannons to subdue the farmers, who are currently protesting the various inactions of the Central government regarding farmer rights and showing their disapproval of the three new farm laws.
Earlier, the Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh police had denied permission to protest, citing “Covid-19” as a reason. The Haryana police had closed down four highways connected to Delhi — Ambala, Hisar, Rewari, and Palwal — and denied entry from Punjab in the districts of Panchkula, Ambala, Kaithal, Jind, Fatehabad, and Sirsa. The state has also imposed Section 144 of the CrPC.
The police have already arrested many farmer union members citing “preventive measures.” In the UP border, a farmers’ protest led by social activist Medha Patkar has also been met with resistance.
While the police resorted to using tear gas and water cannon, the enraged farmers resorted to overthrowing the police barricades into the nearby river. Moreover, various reports reveal that there is massive deployment to stop the protesting farmers at the Delhi borders. Paramilitary forces have been deployed alongside tactical barricading designed to handle the march. Apart from Delhi and its borders, arrests have been reported around the country. Tamil Nadu police have taken action against the farmers marching in solidarity with the Chalo Delhi protestors.
Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi had taken to Facebook to express her solidarity with the protesting farmers and criticised the BJP government for resorting to extreme measures to deal with peaceful protestors. “Today, on Constitution Day, the farmers of the country are peacefully protesting against the central government for their constitutional rights. In return, farmers are being restrained by barbed wires, lathi charge, using water cannon in this cold by the BJP police. Wish the BJP had learnt to respect the ‘annadaatha’ so that the farmers wouldn’t have to see this day. The annadaatha will definitely answer this,” she posted.
