Punjab Newsline : New Delhi
Punjab farmers are once again preparing to march towards Delhi. A group of 55 farmers from the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) will leave for the Khanauri border today, Sunday. The march will begin from Gurdwara Datta Wala. According to farmer leaders, the march will remain completely peaceful and aims to convey farmers’ issues to the Central Government, along with their objections to the trade agreement with the United States.
In view of the farmers’ march, the Haryana Police has already sealed the Khanauri border. The border has remained a major centre of farmer protests between Punjab and Haryana during previous agitations. With farmers announcing another march towards Delhi, security arrangements have been tightened in the area.
The farmer group will collect soil from the spot at the Khanauri border where farmer Shubhkaran Singh died during the protest. The farmers plan to carry this soil with them to Delhi. Farmer leaders said the soil will represent the struggle, sacrifice and memories associated with the farmers’ movement.
According to the farmers’ programme, their target is to reach Jantar Mantar in Delhi on August 29. A one-day Kisan Panchayat will be organised there, where farmers will discuss their demands and various issues related to agriculture. After the panchayat, the farmers will attempt to submit a memorandum containing their demands to the Central Government.
Farmer leaders have made it clear that their programme will remain peaceful. However, after the Khanauri border was sealed, the situation between the farmers and the administration remains under close watch. Attention is now focused on how the farmer group proceeds towards Delhi and what response comes from the government.
The farmers have maintained that their objective is not to create a confrontation but to put their demands and concerns before the government. At the same time, ensuring that the march remains peaceful will be a major challenge for the administration.
