Punjab News: Farmers from Punjab, who previously announced their intent to march towards Delhi to demand a discussion on Minimum Support Price (MSP), have escalated their protest by breaking through police barricades near the Dalit Prerna Sthal in Noida. This move is part of their broader push for government action on key agricultural issues.The first group of protesters, led by the Bharatiya Kisan Parishad, began their march on Monday, defying barricades set up by the police in an effort to prevent them from reaching Delhi. The farmers initiated the march from the Maha Maya flyover in Noida around noon, despite heavy security arrangements put in place by the authorities.Police Arrangements and Advisory for CommutersIn response to the protest, Delhi police ramped up security at all major and minor borders in East Delhi, implementing barricades and using anti-riot equipment. Sagar Singh Kalsi, Additional Commissioner of Police for the Eastern Range, confirmed that the police had made elaborate preparations to handle the situation, including drone surveillance. Kalsi emphasized that the aim was to ensure minimal disruption to commuters traveling from Noida to Delhi.Once again farmers are moving towards Delhi. They have their set of demands but breaking police barricades is justified HOW! pic.twitter.com/geDndrOOMJ— Priyanshi Bhargava (@PriyanshiBharg7) December 2, 2024Increased Police Presence and SurveillanceThe authorities also imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita in Delhi due to the ongoing Parliament session. Joint CP Sanjay Kumar highlighted that additional police personnel were deployed at key locations like the Mahamaya flyover, district border, DND, and Kalindi, to prevent crowds from entering without permission. Surveillance continued through drones to monitor the protesters movements.Supreme Courts Intervention and Farmers DemandsThis protest comes just hours after the Supreme Courts intervention, urging farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to prevent the protestors from obstructing highways. Dallewal is on a hunger strike at the Khanauri border, demanding the acceptance of farmers demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP, the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations, and compensation for families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 agitation.The Supreme Court had recently dismissed a habeas corpus plea filed on behalf of Dallewal but noted that the ongoing farmers issue is under consideration in a pending case. The Court urged that protests be peaceful and not cause inconvenience to the public, specifically pointing out the strategic importance of the Khanauri border for Punjabs lifeline.Background of Ongoing ProtestsFarmers under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13. Their march to the national capital was blocked by security forces, leading to the ongoing agitation. Farmers claim that the Centre has not taken sufficient steps to address their demands, including the implementation of a legal MSP guarantee and other long-standing agricultural reforms.
