NEW DELHI: On the 19th day of the ongoing ‘Delhi Chalo March’ in India, tensions escalated as Haryana police continued to confront protesting farmers despite calls for restraint amid farmers rejecting the government’s proposed system.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) raised concerns over excessive force used by the police, stressing the need for a peaceful resolution.
Farmer leaders announced plans to intensify demonstrations at Shambhu and Khanuri borders and endorsed sit-ins in Dabwali, criticizing the government’s failure to address their demands, according to local media reports.
Denouncing the government’s indifference, leader Sarwan Singh Pandhar stressed the need for legal guarantees on minimum support prices for crops.
Meanwhile, social media platforms also faced criticism for suspending accounts supporting the farmers’ cause, sparking accusations of fueling communal tensions and stifling expression.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting further heightened tensions by banning a documentary on the demonstrations, citing sensitivity.
Police Revoke Protesters’ Visas
Moreover, Haryana Police revoked the visas of demonstrating farmers, exacerbating the situation.
The demonstrations also led to a crisis in Punjab, impacting gas and diesel supplies, while heavy traffic on the Delhi-Noida border hindered commuters.
With thousands of farmers converging on the Haryana-Punjab border and mobile internet services suspended in Haryana-Ambala areas, the demonstrations show no signs of abating, indicating a widening unrest beyond Punjab.
