Intensified Protest:
Farmers from Punjab have resumed their march towards Delhi on February 21, 2024, resembling a war expedition.
They are equipped with iron shields, face masks, tractor-mounted cannons, and heavy-duty bulldozers.
Demands:
The farmers are protesting for various demands, including legal recognition for minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural produce and farm loan waiver.
They have been on the protest since February 13, 2024, under the banner of “Delhi Chalo” (March to Delhi).
Previous Protest:
In 2020-2021, farmers had staged a massive protest against the farm laws.
The central government repealed the laws after a prolonged agitation.
Security Measures:
To prevent the farmers from entering Haryana, multi-layered barricades, including concrete walls and iron fences, were erected at the Punjab-Haryana border.
Failed Negotiations:
A committee of ministers, including Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai, held four rounds of talks with the protesting farmers’ unions.
The farmers remained unconvinced by the government’s proposals and decided to continue their march towards Delhi.
Counter-measures by Farmers:
To counter the tear gas shells fired by the Haryana Police, farmers used kites to damage drones and applied “Multani Mitti” (a type of clay) on their faces to mitigate the heat from the smoke.
Preparations for Next Phase:
The farmers have intensified the protest and are ready for the next phase.
They have mobilized 14,000 farmers, 1,200 tractors, 300 cars, 10 mini buses, and two-wheelers.
They have also brought bulldozers to break the barricades and clear the way.
Defensive Measures:
To protect themselves from police baton charge, the farmers have equipped themselves with iron shields and body armor.
They have also prepared face masks and eye protection to counter tear gas.
Clash and Casualties:
On February 21, 2024, the Haryana Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the farmers at the border.
A 21-year-old youth, Shubkaran Singh, was reportedly killed in the clash.
12 policemen were also injured.
Temporary Suspension:
The farmer union leaders have announced a two-day suspension of the protest and will announce their next course of action on February 23, 2024.