In anticipation of the Punjab farmers’ planned march to Delhi on December 6, Delhi police stated on Thursday that they are prepared to manage any situations that may arise at the Singhu border. At present, there has been no additional deployment of security forces at the border.
A senior police official mentioned, “We have planned a significant deployment at the Singhu border on Delhi-Chandigarh highway ahead of farmers’ march towards the national capital. We are analysing the situation and if we get any intelligence input or information about the movement of farmers, the decision will be taken accordingly.”
Local police are already present at the Singhu border to enforce GRAP-4 measures and maintain law and order, as confirmed by an officer.
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Farmers, under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. They had previously tried to march towards Delhi on February 13 and 21, but were stopped at the Punjab-Haryana borders by security forces.
The farmers are demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP) for crops, a debt waiver, pensions for farmers and farm workers, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, and no increase in electricity tariffs. They are also seeking “justice” for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence and compensation for families of those who died during the 2020-21 protests.
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On Wednesday, the Ambala district administration advised farmers to reconsider their march and seek permission from Delhi police before proceeding. However, Delhi police have stated that they have not received such a request.
To maintain order, Section 163 of BNSS, which restricts gatherings of five or more people, has been imposed in Ambala, and notices have been issued near the Shambu border.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher revealed that a group of farmers had met with the Ambala superintendent of police to inform them about their march towards Delhi. He assured that traffic would not be obstructed and that the protest would remain peaceful.
