Haryana Police Sounds Alarm: Punjab Must Seize Bulldozers to Avert Delhi Chalo Crisis

Haryana Police has raised concerns over the potential use of bulldozers and earthmoving equipment by farmers during the Delhi Chalo march, urging Punjab Police to seize such machinery to prevent the protesters from breaking barricades and endangering security forces.

On the eve of the farmers' renewed Delhi Chalo march, Haryana Police has appealed to its Punjab counterparts to confiscate bulldozers and other heavy machinery from the interstate border, citing concerns about their potential use in breaching barricades and endangering security forces. Haryana Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapoor sent an urgent message to his Punjab counterpart, Gaurav Yadav, emphasizing the need to prevent such equipment from reaching the Khanauri and Shambu border points.

Farmers Reject MSP Proposal, Continue Protest

Meanwhile, farmer leaders participating in the Delhi Chalo agitation have rejected the Centre's proposal to procure three pulses, maize, and cotton at the minimum support price (MSP) by government agencies for five years. They have announced the resumption of their march on Wednesday. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha Non-Political and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are leading the protest, demanding a legal guarantee of MSP for crops and a farm loan waiver.

Concerns Over Modified Earthmoving Equipment

According to intelligence reports, the protesting farmers have acquired and modified heavy earthmoving equipment, including proclain diggers and JCBs, which pose a serious threat to the police and paramilitary forces deployed at the border. Haryana Police has requested Punjab to immediately seize these machines from the protest sites and prevent their movement towards the border.

Strict Warnings to Equipment Owners

Haryana Police has also urged Punjab to issue strict warnings to the owners or operators of such equipment, emphasizing that providing it to the protesting farmers would constitute a criminal act and result in legal consequences. The matter has been deemed of utmost urgency, and immediate action is sought.

Punjab Police Takes Action

In response, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav has directed all range ADGPs, IGPs, DIGs, police commissioners, and SSPs to take immediate steps to halt the movement of heavy machinery towards the Haryana-Punjab border. Measures such as setting up checkpoints, conducting patrols, and taking other necessary actions have been ordered to prevent any attempts by the protesters to breach the barricades and disrupt law and order.

Farmers' Protest Continues

The protesting farmers have been encamped at the Shambhu and Khanauri points on the Punjab-Haryana border since their Delhi Chalo march was halted by security forces on February 13. Clashes between farmers and security personnel have occurred at these border points, further escalating tensions.

As the farmers' protest continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and security of both the protesters and the security forces while addressing the underlying issues that have fueled the agitation.