Fearing action in Haryana, Punjab Govt tells protesters to show restraint

Ruchika M Khanna

Chandigarh, February 20

Unease prevailed in the corridors of power in Punjab after the protesting farm unions owing allegiance to the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha rejected Sunday’s proposal given by the Centre.

Strategy for protest ready

• Kaka Singh Kotra, general secretary of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Sidhupur), reiterated that their strategy for the ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest was ready
• “Senior leaders will lead the protesting farmers. Teams have already been constituted to lead the march and we have asked our cadres to maintain calm,” he said

With the Centre not giving any new invitation for a fresh round of talks and farm unions bracing themselves for marching ahead towards Delhi from both Shambhu and Khanauri borders on Wednesday, the state government tried to impress upon the union leaders not to use excess force as it could lead to retaliation from the Haryana side. A team of senior police officers was reportedly in “regular contact” with the leaders, urging them to act with restraint to avoid any loss of life or property.

Political and official sources in the government have told The Tribune that they feared that the protesting farmers would not be allowed to enter Haryana. During the last round of meetings with the farmers, union leaders had asked the three-member Central team to allow them to march to Delhi and allot them a site for peaceful protest but the Centre had reportedly offered them a site in Punjab. This was rejected by the farmer leaders.

If the protesting farmers are contained in Punjab, it will mean that they will camp at the state’s border with Haryana, blocking the entry and exit points in the state. This will be detrimental for the state’s economy as free flow of retail fuels, essential goods and industrial goods to and from the state would be hit. In a politically charged atmosphere during the run-up to the Lok Sabha poll now, this will not be in the best interest of the ruling party in the state.

The state Director General of Police also issued instructions to all SSPs and CPs, that no JCBs, Poclains, Tippers or Hydras or any other heavy earthmoving equipment should be allowed to reach the border areas.

This has been done upon the request made by the DGP Haryana. Since one Poclain machine had reached Shambhu this afternoon, orders were also issued to remove it.