'Dilli Chalo': Farmers being treated like ‘enemies’, says Sarwan Singh Pandher
Tension is escalating at the Shambhu border after the Haryana Government imposed prohibitory order under Section 144 of the CrPC (163 of BNSS) banning any procession in Ambala.
As part of ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest, farmers are scheduled to march on foot to the National Capital on December 6.
In a video message shared on social media this morning, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher accused the government of backtracking from its promise and treating farmers like “enemies”.
“The government has submitted in the Supreme Court that farmers will be allowed to protest provided they don’t ply tractor-trolleys and other vehicles on highways. We have agreed to it and now wish to march peacefully on foot to Delhi, but now prohibitory orders have been issued to quell the protest. We are being treated like enemies in our own country,” said Pandher.
He maintained that there had been no change in the plan so far and the farmers would march towards Delhi later during the afternoon on December 6.
The fresh controversy erupted after Haryana officials put up a prohibitory notice under Section 144, banning the assembly of four or more persons at the place where protesting farmers are staying in tents at the Shambhu border.
The notice pasted on a tent reads that the Supreme Court, in a hearing on the issue on July 24, had ordered that status quo should be maintained and that it also appointed a committee to discuss the matter with both sides.
Farmer leader Tajveer Singh accused the Centre and the Punjab Government of allegedly trying to sabotage the Dilli Chalo march. He said the tents are located 500m inside the Punjab boundary. It was yet to be ascertained who allowed Haryana officials to cross the border and paste a prohibitory order there, he added.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) had earlier announced that farmers would march to Delhi on December 6. The march was part of their ongoing efforts to press for their demands, including guaranteed MSP, farm loan waiver and agricultural reforms. Farmers have said that their protest would be peaceful.
