Signs of the state brutality continues with both Haryana and Delhi police crossing all democratic norms to prevent farmers’ entry into the capital. The Indian Express reported the death of a farmer at the Khanauri border at 4.16 p.m.
Protester dies of head injury as Haryana Police drops tear gas shells at Khanauri border#FarmersProtest Live Updates:https://t.co/2V1byTb60x
— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) February 21, 2024
In its defence, a woman officer from the Haryana police was seen on social media alleging that the farmer protesters surrounded the police from all sides by pouring chilli powder in the stubble, attacked the policemen using sticks and maces along with stone pelting at Khanauri border. Around 12 policemen were seriously injured. Appeal to the protesters for peace, the police added.
Meanwhile, the All India Kisan Union (AIKS) has condoled the Death of Farmer Shubh Karan Singh in Police Action and demanded the dismissal of the police personnel responsible for the brutality. The AIKS has also called for nationwide protests.
Some reports suggest that after being left down by what they dubbed as a fraudulent offer by government, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Arjun Munda on Wednesday again invited the farmer leaders for discussion on the MSP demand, crop diversification, stubble issue.
In a desperate attack indicative of the panic in government, the Union fovernment temporarily blocks 177 social media accounts, web links. The orders were issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on February 14 and 19 at the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs under section 69A of the IT Act
PTI reported that the government has ordered temporary blocking of around 177 social media accounts and web links that are linked to the farmers’ protest, according to sources. The orders were issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on February 14 and 19 at the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs under section 69A of the IT Act.
“The orders have been issued to temporarily block 177 social media accounts and web links to maintain law and order on request of the Ministry of Home Affairs,” the source said.
Links and accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and some other social media platforms have been ordered to be blocked. These accounts can be restored after the farmers’ agitation is over, the source added.
At midday on Wednesday, the DIG of Patiala Range, HS Bhullar told the media on Wednesday said that the Haryana Police used 14 tear gas shells without any provocation as the farmers began their march towards Delhi from the Shambhu border. Bhullar said that has registered his protest with the Haryana Police regarding the same.
Meanwhile, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, while speaking to farmers at the Shambhu border, said “You stay behind.. we shall lead the march. Let’s stop the machines and we shall walk.”
Earlier in the day, the Punjab and Haryana High Court refused to accept a plea by the Haryana government over farmers using heavy equipment ahead of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest march. “Politics is happening all over. Why didn’t Punjab stop these machines/protestors earlier? Courts are being used,” HC said while refusing the hearing. The Haryana government approached the High Court again on Wednesday, seeking directions to prevent farmers from moving ahead with their modified earth-moving equipment which pose security concerns in Haryana.
While addressing the media early this morning, farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Dallewal urged the government to remove the barricades at the Shambhu border so the could march peacefully to Delhi and said that they were “ready to die in the interest of the nation.”
Protesting farmers are demanding that a Special Session of Parliament should be called to formulate MSP law, says Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) president. The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan and General Secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, stated that a special session of Parliament should be called to formulate laws ensuring the guaranteed purchase of crops through MSP for all 23 crops. Farmers demand a peaceful resolution of the ongoing struggle, rejecting the aggressive measures of the central government to suppress the democratic voice of the protesting farmers, they said in a statement issued this afternoon.
Barricading Delhi for #FarmersProtests
Shocking reports of how Haryana and Delhi Police had geared up for the farmers’ march to Delhi, barricading at borders, provisions to block roads. On Tuesday, the Gurgaon Police arrested under section Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) Section(s) 107/151, and later released 38 farmers for violating orders under CrPC Section 144 in the state, after Manesar farmers called for a march towards Delhi. They were later released.
The Indian Expres reported in detail, multiple layers of barricading at borders with Haryana, provisions to block the road at Ghazipur border with Uttar Pradesh if the need arises — these are some of the measures the Delhi Police is keeping in place ahead of the scheduled march of farmers towards Delhi from Punjab on Wednesday morning following their rejection of the Centre’s five-year minimum support price (MSP) proposal.
On the march scheduled for Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Mayank Gupta said that four law and order companies are ready with riot gear to restrict any movement and control disturbance. “But we are not expecting any disruption here. We are coordinating with the DCPs of South and Southwest Delhi along with those in the neighbouring districts of Gurgaon,” Gupta said, adding that there were no restrictions on traffic or any route diversion.
At the Panipat-Sonipat border, at least 400 officers along with two companies of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and one of Border Security Force (BSF) have been deployed, along with the installment of water cannons, barricades, and concrete barriers to prevent the protesters from marching towards the national capital. Other media reports in Indian Express and Telegraph stated that the Gurgaon Police, meanwhile, has deployed officers at all its key borders including the Rajokri border on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway, Rewari, Pataudi-Jhajjar, Farrukhnagar-Jhajjar and Nuh borders. “Adequate force is on standby round the clock, and Gurgaon has not been affected by the protests so far, but we have enough officers deployed to prevent any untoward incident along the borders,” said an officer, requesting anonymity.
In Gautam Buddha Nagar, officials said that farmers would be given space from the Yamuna Expressway’s zero point to Surajpur collectorate, where farmers will line up on one side with their tractors.
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Farmers’ Protest: Physical repression, prohibitory orders, Delhi entry blocked – Déjà Vu?