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Thousands of farmers gather at Shambhu border ahead of march to Delhi. What's happening?
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher accused the Haryana govt of barricading the Shambhu border to stop farmers from reaching Delhi for the Kisan Mahapanchayat.
Delhi Police's plate appears to be full. A day after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)'s march to Parliament, which saw violence across central Delhi, another major mobilisation is underway as a large group of farmers heads to the national capital to attend a farmers' meeting.
Two groups of farmers, one from Haryana and another from Punjab, are making their way towards Delhi. However, the Punjab group was stopped by the police at the Shambhu border, where the Ambala Police have now imposed Section 163. Track CJP Delhi protest updates here
What is the meeting?
A Kisan Mahapanchayat, under the banner of ‘Desh Bachao Morcha’, against the proposed India-US trade deal, is planned at Delhi's Kisan Ghat on Tuesday. Farmer leaders had earlier said participants from several places, including Punjab and Haryana, would attend the Mahapanchayat.
Also Read | Gurnam Singh Charuni detained en route to Delhi, farmers block toll plazas
News agency ANI shared visuals of more than 1,000 farmers from Punjab gathered at the Shambhu border, which separates Punjab and Haryana. Heavy police deployment was seen at the border point, with barricades erected and cement blocks placed on the bridge over the Ghaggar river.
Section 163 imposed at Shambhu border
The Ambala district administration has imposed section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) at the site till July 27.
The cops have also warned the farmers to stay at least 100 metres away from the barricades at the Shambhu border.
In a statement, the administration said, "In view of the farmers' call for a possible march to Delhi, the District Administration and Police Administration have issued clear instructions that no law and order will be disrupted in any way at the Shambhu Border and surrounding areas."
Also Read | What Punjab and Haryana owe Uttar Pradesh and Bihar: Agriculture and labour cost
"There will be a complete ban on the gathering, gathering, or unwelcome movement of five or more people near the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border area," it read.
Meanwhile, the police have advised the general public going to Punjab or Delhi, to take alternate routes via Chandigarh road or Panchkula or Kurukshetra/Kaithal to avoid inconvenience.
Farmers' say we will wait for a dialogue with authorities
Punjab farmer leader Sarvan Singh Pandher told Hindustan Times that the Haryana authorities had sealed the border and were not allowing the protesters to proceed towards Delhi.
“The borders have been sealed, but we will not hold back. Our march will continue and we will remain firm on our demands,” Pandher said.
He added that the farmers would not attempt to breach or scale the barricades and would instead wait for dialogue with the authorities.
Farmers from Haryana march on foot to Delhi
Scores of farmers associated with various Haryana farm unions were stopped by police in Karnal on Tuesday as they attempted to march towards Delhi.
Heavy deployments of police and paramilitary personnel were stationed at the Bastara toll plaza on NH-44 to prevent the protesters from proceeding in their vehicles.
Following a brief face-off with security personnel, the farmers changed their strategy and continued their march on foot towards the national capital.
Sanju Gudiana, Yamunanagar district president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni), said the police blocked their vehicles at the Bastara toll plaza.
"We decided to change our strategy and continue on foot. A few of our leaders and farmers have stayed back to look after the vehicles. We will keep walking till the end, even if the police stop us again on the way," Gudiana told HT over the phone.
Punjab farmer leader accuses Haryana CM
Pandher, earlier on Tuesday morning, slammed the Haryana government for barricading the Shambhu border point to prevent them from heading to Delhi to participate in the Kisan Mahapanchayat.
Pandher said farmers wanted to proceed peacefully to Delhi, but the Haryana government was stopping them at the Shambhu border.
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Speaking to reporters in Fatehgarh Sahib, Pandher alleged that this exposed the "true face" of Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, who frequently visits Punjab and makes tall promises to its people.
Haryana farm leader detained
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni was detained by police in Haryana's Kurukshetra district on Monday while he was on his way to Delhi for the farmers' "mahapanchayat" against the proposed Indo-US trade deal, triggering protests at several places.
A spokesperson for the outfit, Prince Waraich, said Charuni's vehicle was intercepted by police on National Highway-152D near Pehowa.
"He was taken into custody. Later, he was escorted away by police officials," Waraich said.
Soon after the news of Charuni's detention spread, farmers gathered at the toll plaza on the Hisar-Chandigarh stretch of the national highway in Thana village and launched a sit-in.
They raised slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre, spread mats on the road and sat on those, while police remained deployed to monitor the situation.
Delhi Police issues traffic advisory
The Delhi Traffic Police issued a traffic advisory for July 21 in view of a demonstration by farmers at Kisan Ghat in the national capital.
Commuters have been advised to avoid key diversion points, including Delhi Gate, Rajghat Crossing, Guru Nanak Chowk, Shantivan Chowk, Rajghat DTC Depot and the IP Flyover, as traffic restrictions and diversions may be in place. The advisory also urges motorists to avoid Satyagrah Marg, Velodrome Road, Rajghat DTC Depot Road, Rajghat DTC Bypass Road, and surrounding roads and adjoining stretches due to possible closures.
