The government has also demanded that protests be handled more delicately because Punjab is a border state in a letter in response to the Center’s advice.
Chandigarh: The Punjab administration strongly reacted to an advisory from the Ministry of Home Affairs following the farmer agitation, stating that it is “absolutely false” to claim that the state is permitting demonstrators to congregate near the borders. It asserts that the Punjab government has upheld law and order “with responsibility” in spite of the fact that over 160 people have been hurt as a result of the Haryana Police’s use of rubber bullets, tear gas shells, drones, and physical force.
In response to reports that more than 14,000 people had gathered with 1,200 tractor-trolleys and other vehicles along the Punjab-Haryana border in anticipation of the resumption of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) expressed alarm about the “deteriorating” state of law and order in Punjab and requested action from the state government.
Anurag Verma, the chief secretary for Punjab, wrote a letter on Wednesday stating that the state administration had not received the directions issued the day before by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, asking farmers not to drive tractor-trolleys on the roads. It further stated that the order is not available on the court’s website.
Mr. Verma drew attention to the fact that the farmers were halted at the Punjab-Haryana border because of travel restrictions while en route to Delhi to protest.
“The Haryana Police have so far used tear gas shells, rubber bullets, physical force, and drones to harm around 160 persons. The Punjab government has responsibly maintained the state of law and order even since then,” the letter stated.
The chief secretary called for greater empathy for the farmers and stated that as Punjab is a border state, law and order should be handled more delicately during protests.
Noting that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had attended three of the four sessions between the Centre and the farmers, the Punjabi government emphasized its significant role in the negotiations. The letter stated that Mr. Mann was unable to attend the single meeting, but he had sent a Cabinet minister and senior staff.
The secretary stated that 2,000 police officials, including Punjab Police officers from the Provincial Police Service and DIG-rank IPS officers, are tasked with upholding law and order. He declared, “We are continuously keeping an eye on the issue and would act if needed.”
On Wednesday, farmers attempted to march towards Delhi to stress their demands, which included a legal guarantee for minimum support price. As a result, tear gas was used once more near the Shambhu border. The Haryana Police has warned the farmers to move aside as they face off against them while positioned with earthmoving equipment in a line.
The Agriculture Minister, Arjun Munda, has summoned farmers for another round of discussions and warned against disturbances caused by “unruly elements” trying to manipulate the negotiations.
Updates on the Farmers’ Protest LIVE: The “Delhi Chalo” march by farmers from several states has started off again on Wednesday. In the meantime, the nation’s capital is well guarded to stop any unrest during the demonstration. Following the fourth round of discussions with Union Ministers, farmer leaders from Punjab and Haryana had earlier called off the farmers’ protest on Sunday night. In the past, the leaders have threatened to resume their march towards Delhi if their demands are not fulfilled by the Center by February 21.
The Center’s proposal to have government agencies purchase pulses, maize, and cotton at MSP for five years was rejected by farmer leaders participating in the agitation on Monday. They said that the idea was not in the farmers’ best interests and that they would be marching towards the national capital on Wednesday.
The government estimates that over 14,000 people have gathered along the Punjab-Haryana border with 1,200 tractor-trolleys, 300 cars, 10 mini-buses, and other small vehicles as part of the farmers protest as they prepare to resume their protests today. The Punjab government was also criticized by the Center for permitting this possible breakdown in the state’s law and order situation.
Farmers’ objections of the main points
Farmer leaders began to demonstrate against the government, citing the MSP’s legal guarantee, from three states: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana.
Despite four rounds of negotiations, the farmers and the central government have not been able to reach a consensus.
The farmers decided to call off their protest until February 21 following the fourth session of negotiations with the Union ministers, with the understanding that they would restart the march if their demands were not fulfilled.
For over a week, authorities had erected barriers to keep demonstrators away from New Delhi by around 200 km (125 miles), but police claimed that the large equipment present at Wednesday’s event was meant to cause damage to the barriers.
In a show of support for the farmers, up to 14,000 people have gathered at the borders between Haryana and Punjab and Delhi and Haryana and Punjab, along with thousands of cars.