Chandigarh, December 6:
A group of 101 farmers is set to begin their foot march to Delhi at 1 pm on Friday, starting from their protest site at Shambhu border, located on the Punjab and Haryana border.
The farmers are marching to urge the Centre to provide a legal assurance for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
In preparation for the march, a heavy security presence has been established on the Haryana side of the border.
The Ambala district administration has issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which prohibits any unlawful gathering of five or more individuals in the district.
The deputy commissioner has also prohibited any processions—whether on foot, by vehicle, or other modes—until further notice.
Additionally, the authorities in Ambala have ordered the closure of both government and private schools in the district.
“Both government and private schools will remain closed on Friday,” confirmed Suresh Kumar, the District Education Officer in Ambala.
At the Shambhu border point—on National Highway-44, linking Rajpura (Punjab) to Ambala (Haryana)—a multi-layered barricade is already in place, along with the deployment of water cannons.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher referred to the 101 farmers taking part in the march as “marjeevras,” individuals willing to sacrifice their lives for a cause. He assured that the march would be peaceful but criticized the Haryana administration for its attempt to block it.
Pandher emphasized that no tractor-trolleys would be involved in the march.
The Ambala deputy commissioner, in an order dated November 30, had already banned the unlawful assembly of five or more individuals and prohibited any processions, whether on foot, by vehicle, or through other means.
The order expressed concerns that large groups of protesters from both Punjab and Haryana might gather at Shambhu border to march towards Delhi.
To manage the situation, the administration has put measures in place at the border points and within the district, including issuing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS to prevent the movement of individuals without prior approval.
The first group of farmers, or ‘jatha,’ will be led by prominent farmer leaders Satnam Singh Pannu, Surinder Singh Chautala, Surjit Singh Phul, and Baljinder Singh, and will only carry essential items with them.
Paramilitary forces have also been deployed on the Haryana side of the border to maintain security.
Ambala district authorities have urged the farmers to reconsider their march and seek permission from Delhi Police before taking further steps.
The farmers are gathered under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (a non-political group) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. They have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after security forces halted their previous attempt to march to Delhi.
Meanwhile, SKM leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal continues his fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border.
Apart from the MSP demand, farmers are also calling for farm loan waivers, pensions for farmers and agricultural workers, no increase in electricity tariffs, withdrawal of police cases against farmers, and justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
The reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for the families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 agitation are also among their demands.
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