In anticipation of the planned march by thousands of farmers to Delhi, the Haryana government has taken precautionary measures, converting two major stadiums into temporary jails. The move comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the farmers’ agitation and concerns about potential unrest.
According to sources, the Chaudhary Dalbir Singh Indoor Stadium in Sirsa and the Guru Gobind Singh Stadium in Dabwali have been designated as makeshift jails to detain farmers in case of any untoward incidents during the scheduled march.
The decision to fortify security measures comes as authorities brace for the possibility of large-scale protests and demonstrations, with concrete blocks being placed at various border points and a significant deployment of police personnel along the interstate border.
While the Centre has extended an invitation for another round of talks with farmer unions on February 12 to address their demands, the preemptive measures to block borders and restrict access to Delhi have drawn criticism from opposition parties and farmer groups.
Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have condemned the stringent security measures, likening the roadblocks to the India-Pakistan Line of Control (LoC).
The farmers’ demands, primarily focused on securing a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP) for crops, have been at the forefront of the protests. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and various farmer associations from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab have mobilized for the protest, aiming to amplify their demands and put pressure on the government for policy reforms.
In response to the security measures, SKM leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal criticized the government’s actions, questioning the democratic legitimacy of such extensive barricading. Meanwhile, Haryana authorities have defended the restrictions, citing concerns arising from the 2020 protests against the now-repealed farm laws.
With tensions escalating and both sides entrenched in their positions, the situation remains tense as farmers prepare to assert their demands while authorities seek to maintain order and security in the region. The outcome of the scheduled talks between the government and farmer unions will be closely watched as stakeholders navigate the complex dynamics of the ongoing agrarian unrest.
Sources By Agencies
