Haryana suspends internet in 12 Ambala villages ahead of Punjab farmers 'Dilli Chalo' march today

Farmers are set to resume their foot march to Delhi on Saturday, pressing for the fulfilment of their long-pending demands, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and loan waivers.

A group of 101 farmers will make their third attempt to march towards the national capital as part of the ongoing protest that has now completed 10 months.

The farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, after security forces stopped their earlier attempts to proceed to Delhi.

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said farmer leaders Jaswinder Singh Longowal and Malkit Singh Gulamiwala would lead the ‘Marjeevda Jatha’ of 101 farmers. The farmers alleged that government agencies were trying to sabotage the peaceful protest and turn the public sentiment against farmers.

Meanwhile, the Haryana Government has suspended internet services in 12 villages of Ambala, from 6 am on December 14 to 11.59 pm on December 17, in view of the ongoing farmers’ agitation at Shambhu order.

As per an order issued by Haryana Additional Chief Secretary Home, mobile internet services, bulk SMS (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services etc. provided on mobile networks, except the voice calls, will remain suspended to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in the area of villages Dangdehri, Lohgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Choti Ghel, Lharsa, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar (Hira Nagar, Naresh Vihar), Saddopur, Sultanpur and Kakru in the jurisdiction of district Ambala.

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on fast-unto-death for over 18 days at the Khanauri border, has seen his health deteriorate significantly. Doctors attending to him have reported decreasing weight and unstable blood pressure.

On Friday, the Supreme Court directed the Punjab and Central governments to ensure medical assistance for Dallewal, emphasising that his life is more important than the agitation. The court also suggested that the farmers adopt Gandhian methods of protest.

In anticipation of the march, security along the interstate border on the Ghaggar rivulet has been heightened, with central paramilitary forces and Haryana police deployed.

During the earlier march attempts, teargas shells were used by the security forces to prevent farmers from crossing the barricades. Temporary barricades, heavily guarded by police and paramilitary personnel, were set up to restrict their movement.

The protesting farmers had briefly suspended their march on December 8 after clashes with security personnel at Shambhu resulted in injuries. However, the farmers remain steadfast in their demands, which include legal reforms to improve the agricultural sector.