Farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ Stopped at Shambhu Border; Internet Services Suspended in Ambala

Protesting farmers attempting to march to Delhi as part of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ movement were stopped at the Shambhu border on December 6. Police officials cited a lack of permission for the farmers to enter Haryana, leading to a significant deployment of law enforcement personnel at the site.

Drone footage captured at the Shambhu border revealed police barricades preventing the passage of approximately 101 farmers. A police spokesperson stated, “The farmers do not have any permission to enter Haryana. The Ambala administration has imposed Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).”

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, who was among those halted at the border, expressed frustration over the situation. “We should be allowed to go towards Delhi peacefully or we should be talked to about our demands,” he stated. Pandher emphasized that the farmers are open to dialogue, urging the government to provide a formal communication from the central government or the Chief Minister’s office regarding their demands. He reiterated calls for a designated protest area in Delhi and the restoration of internet services in Ambala.

In a related development, the Haryana government announced an internet shutdown in ten villages of Ambala from December 6 to December 9, citing concerns over misinformation and rumors spread via social media platforms. The order, issued under Section 20 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, will affect villages including Dangdehri, Lohgarh, and Sultanpur, although banking and mobile recharge services will remain operational.

The ongoing protest, spearheaded by the Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) in collaboration with various farmer organizations, seeks compensation and benefits related to agricultural reforms, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).