Section 163 imposed in Sirsa ahead of farmers' march

In view of the farmers' march to Delhi on December 6, the Sirsa administration has implemented Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to maintain law and order. District Magistrate Shantanu Sharma issued the orders in anticipation of large-scale protests by farmers' organisations, including Samyukt Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, which are set to head towards Delhi from the Shambhu border.

The order prohibits any unlawful gathering of five or more people and bans protests, processions, or the use of vehicles such as cars, tractors and trucks to cause disruptions. The order also prevents the use of weapons, flammable materials, or loudspeakers during the march. Additionally, any damage to public or private property or clashes with law enforcement will lead to legal consequences.

SP Vikrant Bhushan, ensuring tight security, visited the key police checkpoints along the Punjab and Rajasthan borders, including Malout, Bathinda and Musahibwala. These locations are crucial in controlling the movement of farmers towards Delhi. Bhushan reviewed security arrangements and emphasised coordination between law enforcement and local administration to prevent any disruptions during the protest.

Notably, Dabwali, located on the Punjab-Haryana border, witnessed heavy barricading by the Sirsa and Dabwali police on February 13, 2024, during the second phase of the farmers' protest. This was done to prevent farmers from Punjab from marching towards Delhi via Sirsa. The barricades, set up near Dabwali and Panniwala Mota, remained in place for nearly six months, causing severe inconvenience to the public.

While the authorities prepare for the march, farmers' leader Lakhwinder Singh Aulakh, president, Bharatiya Kisan Ekta, has said they would strictly follow the designated route from Shambhu and not take alternate paths. He warned that the government's barricading could cause significant disruptions to public movement, as seen in the past, when obstacles and iron spikes were placed on major roads to block farmers.