Punjab farmers demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other agricultural reforms, broke through police barricades near the Dalit Prerna Sthal in Noida on Monday as they advanced towards Delhi. The march, organized by the Bharatiya Kisan Parishad, comes as part of a larger protest against the Centre’s inaction on their demands.
Protests Begin Amid Heavy Police Deployment
The farmers’ march kicked off from the Mahamaya Flyover in Noida around noon. In anticipation, Delhi Police had set up barricades and deployed personnel at all major and minor entry points into East Delhi. Sagar Singh Kalsi, Additional Commissioner of Police for Delhi’s Eastern Range, stated that anti-riot equipment and drone surveillance were in place to maintain order.
Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjay Kumar confirmed the imposition of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita in Delhi due to the ongoing Parliament session, restricting unauthorized entry into the capital. Security measures were bolstered at borders, including the DND Flyway and Kalindi Kunj, to prevent unauthorized movement.
Supreme Court Urges Farmers to Avoid Disruption
The protest comes just hours after the Supreme Court urged Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to ensure demonstrations do not disrupt public life. Dallewal, currently on a hunger strike at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana, has been pressing for government action on the farmers’ demands.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan acknowledged the farmers’ grievances but emphasized the need for peaceful protests that do not obstruct essential routes like the Khanauri border.
Demands and Long-Standing Issues
Farmers under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been staging protests since February 13 at border points like Shambhu and Khanauri. Their demands include:
A legal guarantee for MSP.
•Implementation of Swaminathan Commission recommendations.
•Pension for farmers and farm laborers.
•Waiver of farm debts.
•Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.
•Compensation for families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 agitation.
•The protesting farmers allege that the Centre has not engaged in dialogue with them since February 18, despite repeated appeals.
Traffic Disruptions and Public Advisory
The protest has led to traffic disruptions at key routes. Authorities have issued advisories for commuters to avoid areas like the DND Flyway, Kalindi Kunj, and district borders near Noida.
As the march gains momentum, all eyes are on whether the farmers’ demands will prompt a response from the Centre. The movement reflects deep-rooted tensions in India’s agricultural sector, with the demand for MSP remaining at its core.
