Farmers' Protest: Section 144 Imposed At Delhi Borders, Tractor Entry Restricted

The Delhi Police on Sunday imposed section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code at the border to avoid any untoward incident and maintain law and order in view of farmers' protest on February 13.

"Information has been received that some farmer organisations have given a call to their supporters to gather/march to Delhi on 13th February for their demands of the law on MSP and others. They are likely to sit at the border of Delhi till their demands are met. In order to avoid any untoward incident and to maintain Law & Order, a precautionary Order of section 144 Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, is required to be issued to save the lives and property in the area," Hindustan Times quoted the Delhi Police as stating in the order.

The order restricts public gatherings at all borders between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh along with nearby areas. "Prohibit entering of Tractors, Trolleys, Buses, Trucks, commercial vehicles, personal vehicles, on horses etc, carrying protestors in Delhi from Uttar Pradesh. Order that the North East District Police shall make all efforts to prevent protestors from entering Delhi," the order stated.

"Order that no person/protestor shall be allowed to bear arms, including firearms, swords, trishul, spears, lathi, rods etc. North East District Police shall make all efforts to detain these persons at the spot. Order that any person found to be acting in contravention to this order shall be liable to be punished under section 188 of the India Penal Code, 1860," it further added.

The farmers' groups, such as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have launch a march to put pressure on the Centre, demanding the implementation of a law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal raised concerns over alleged intimidation tactics against farmers in Haryana. "There are reports of border closures, imposition of Section 144, and shutdown of internet services. Does the government possess the authority to shut down internet services? Under such circumstances, constructive dialogue becomes challenging. The government must address this issue promptly," he asserted.

On the other hand, the Haryana government has ordered the suspension of mobile internet services and bulk SMS in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa districts from 6 am on Sunday until 11.59 pm on February 13. Furthermore, extensive security measures have been enforced along the Punjab-Haryana borders in Ambala, Jind, and Fatehabad districts to uphold law and order ahead of the planned farmers' march.