Ambala Administration Urges Punjab Farmers to Reconsider Proposed March to Delhi on December 6

The Ambala district administration in Haryana has urged Punjab farmers to rethink their planned march to Delhi on December 6. They advised the farmers to proceed only after securing permission from the Delhi Police. Section 163 of the BNSS, which restricts gatherings of five or more people, has been enforced in the district. Notices have been issued at the protest site near the Shambhu border and sent to two farmer leaders' homes in Punjab, including Sarwan Singh Pandher.

Farmers under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha Non-Political and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points. They previously attempted marches towards Delhi on February 13 and February 21 but were halted by security forces at the borders. The Ambala Deputy Commissioner, Parth Gupta, communicated with farmer leaders, urging them to reconsider their protest plans and seek permission from Delhi Police before proceeding.

Permission and Legal Considerations

The Deputy Commissioner highlighted that permission from Delhi Police is mandatory for any demonstration in Delhi. He requested that farmer leaders inform his office about any permissions obtained. The Supreme Court had earlier directed maintaining the status quo at the Shambhu border and formed a committee led by Justice Nawab Singh to resolve grievances amicably.

According to Section 69 of the Haryana Police Act 2007, police officers can issue instructions for public meetings or processions. Permission is granted only if peace is not threatened. If a gathering might disturb peace, police can ban it in public interest. The district administration has enforced Section 163 of BNSS, previously Section 144 of CrPC, in Ambala district.

Farmers' Assurances and Demands

Farmer leader Pandher stated that a delegation met Ambala's superintendent of police on Monday. They informed about their peaceful march to Delhi on December 6, assuring no traffic disruption. "We will go in jathas (groups) peacefully," Pandher said, adding that they would halt on roads at night without blocking traffic.

Pandher clarified that their plan is solely to reach Delhi and not disrupt Prime Minister Narendra Modi's event in Panipat on December 9. Meanwhile, SKM Non-Political leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal continues his fast unto death at Khanauri border point.

Farmers' Broader Demands

The farmers are demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops, debt waivers, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, and no increase in electricity tariffs. They also seek justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for families of farmers who died during previous agitations in 2020-21.

The district administration emphasised maintaining peace and law order as a collective responsibility. They appealed to farmers to reconsider their protest plans unless they obtain necessary permissions from Delhi Police. The administration urged postponement if permissions are not secured to avoid any law and order issues.