Farmers' Protest Resumes As Haryana Suspends Internet Services Ahead Of Delhi March

A 'Jathha' of 101 farmers will resume their attempt to march towards Delhi from Haryana's Shambhu border on Saturday, according to Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) leader Sarwan Singh Pandher.

As their protest enters its 307th day, farmer leaders have stated that they are awaiting talks with the central government and are pushing for nationwide support for their movement from the public.

Photo Credit: PTI

Pandher, speaking to ANI, also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan of remaining silent on the issue and distancing themselves from it.

"The Union Agriculture Minister has not been speaking about the protest either, and the way BJP MPs are indulging in 'bayanbazi' is going to cause division in communities. Government agencies are trying their best to ensure that the 'morcha' does not succeed. They are trying to prove that even if all of Punjab and Haryana unite, the 'morcha' cannot win," he alleged.

#WATCH | Visuals from the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border where the farmers are protesting over various demands.

According to farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, a Jattha of 101 farmers will march towards Delhi today at 12 noon. pic.twitter.com/Tfb1F8dSqE

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

He said the farmers aim to demonstrate how a collective effort by ordinary citizens can be influential in bringing about changes in the country's laws and governance.

Farmers have been intensifying their protests by blocking roads at Shambhu Border and Khanauri Border. Despite the harsh weather conditions, farmers have remained resolute, camping in makeshift arrangements at the borders.

In addition to a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariffs, the withdrawal of police cases, and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the Supreme Court directed the Centre and Punjab to ensure that necessary medical assistance is provided to farmer Jagjit Singh Dallewal, the chief of Samyukta Kisan Morcha, who has been on a fast-unto-death at Khanauri Border since November 26. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan instructed authorities to have direct dialogue with Dallewal, stating, "his life is more precious than any agitation."

Notably, heavy security has been deployed at the border areas ahead of the resumption of the protest march.

Haryana Government Suspends Internet, SMS Services

Hours before the farmers' protest march resumes, the Haryana government has suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 12 villages in Ambala to maintain "public peace."

The services will remain suspended until December 17, according to an order issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sumita Misra.

"It has been brought to my notice by the additional director general of police, CID, Haryana, and deputy commissioner, Ambala, that in view of the call for Delhi Kooch given by certain farmers' organisations, there is an apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage to public and private property, and disturbance of public peace and tranquillity in the area of districts Ambala," the order stated.