CHANDIGARH, Jan 16: A contingent of 101 farmers is set to recommence their march to Delhi from the Shambhu border on January 21 to urge the government to fulfill their demands, which include a legal assurance for minimum support prices for crops, stated farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Thursday.
The “jatha” (group) of 101 farmers made three prior attempts to march towards Delhi on December 6, December 8, and December 14 of last year, but were prevented from proceeding by security forces in Haryana.
This renewed effort by the protesting farmers comes a day after a group of 111 farmers initiated a fast-unto-death on the Haryana side of the border near Khanauri, in support of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose fast has now reached its 52nd day.
During a press briefing at Shambhu border on Thursday, Pandher, the leader of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, criticized the central government for its failure to address the concerns of farmers who have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders for 11 months.
“Both forums (SKM-Non Political, KMM) have decided that the ‘jatha’ of 101 farmers will resume its march to Delhi on January 21 from the Shambhu border,” declared Pandher.
“We have observed and feel that the government is unresponsive to any further discussions. It was the consensus of both forums to escalate our protest,” he added.
On January 15, a group of 111 farmers commenced a fast-unto-death in support of their leader Dallewal, vowing to persist until their demands are acknowledged.
The new ‘jatha’ is currently situated on the Haryana side of the border, while Dallewal has been conducting his hunger strike since November 26 at the Khanauri border on the Punjab side.
Haryana Police have stepped up security measures along the border, enforcing Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which prohibits gatherings of five or more individuals.
The protesting farmers have raised alarms regarding Dallewal’s “deteriorating” health, warning that he may suffer “multiple organ failure” due to his prolonged fasting.
Dallewal, who leads the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), has been on an indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border since November 26, 2022.
Farmers, under the banners of the SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 of last year, after being impeded by security forces from marching to Delhi to advocate for their various demands, including a legal assurance for MSP of their crops. (Agencies)
