In a significant escalation of tensions, law enforcement authorities detained 80 farmers in Manesar, Gurugram, on Tuesday, February 21, as they marched toward the Prime Minister’s residence in protest. The demonstration, organised by the Dakshin Haryana Kisan Khap Samiti, aimed to advocate for a law ensuring a minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural produce, echoing the demands that spurred the year-long farmer agitation on Delhi’s borders in 2021.
The group, also highlighting concerns over increased compensation for land acquisition, had gathered approximately 250-300 farmers who were divided into two contingents—one stationed outside the tehsil office and the other near IMT Square. At 11:45 am, as the groups converged near IMT Square en route to the Delhi highway, police intervened, detaining 80 farmers and transporting them to the Manesar Deputy Commissioner of Police’s office. The detainees were held for over six hours before being released around 5:30 pm.
Manesar DCP Deepak Kumar Jewaria defended the detention, citing the need to maintain peace and prevent infiltration by anti-social elements. He expressed willingness to mediate between the protesters and the administration to address their grievances, including compensation demands, offering to escalate their concerns to the sub-divisional magistrate if necessary.
“We were prepared from early morning. We had to maintain peace. We detained farmers only to ensure that no anti-social elements get into their groups and take advantage of their plans,” Manesar DCP Deepak Kumar Jewaria was quoted as saying.
Vice-president of the Khap, Pradeep Yadav, underscored the persistent demand for increased compensation, alleging disparity in land acquisition rates and emphasising the solidarity of farmer representatives from Punjab and Haryana in advocating for their cause.
“Land was acquired at a rate of Rs 55 lakh per acre. But we have been protesting for two years to get at least Rs 11 crore per acre. Farmer representatives from Punjab and Haryana agreed to support our demand and raise it with the Centre in their ongoing negotiation. In return, we agreed to join their march for MSP law,” Yadav added.
Meanwhile, farmers at the Punjab-Haryana border, poised to resume their march to Delhi over MSP issues, have fortified themselves against anticipated police resistance.
The protesters have arrived equipped with excavators and JCB machinery fitted with reinforced cabins, prepared to withstand potential police tactics such as rubber bullets and shotgun pellets. Additionally, many farmers have crafted basic anti-riot shields and assembled gas masks to mitigate the effects of tear gas. Moreover, they have transported thousands of sandbags to construct makeshift pathways in areas not barricaded.
हरियाणा पुलिस ने पंजाब पुलिस को एक लेटर लिखा है। इसमें पोर्कलेन मशीन/JCB/मोडिफाई ट्रैक्टर जब्त करने के लिए कहा है। दरअसल, शंभू बॉर्डर पर किसानों ने बेरिकेड्स तोड़ने के लिए ये वाहन तैयार किए हैं। ऐसे में पुलिस–किसानों में टकराव हो सकता है।
pic.twitter.com/Ap62HnGjPV— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) February 20, 2024
The Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) issued orders halting the movement of heavy earthmoving equipment toward the border, citing concerns over their potential use to breach barricades and endanger security forces. The police have warned protesters against deploying modified equipment, emphasising the seriousness of the offense and potential criminal liability.
“It is reliably learned that heavy earthmoving equipment, including proclain (digger), JCB, etc., that have been further modified/armor-plated have been acquired by protesting farmers and have been deployed at the interstate border locations where the protesters are camping right now,” the letter written by the Haryana DGP read.
For owners and operators of Poclains,JCBs:
Pls do not provide your equipments to the protestors and withdraw them from the protest site if already done, as they may be used to cause harm to security forces. It is a non bailable offence and you may be held criminally liable.— Haryana Police (@police_haryana) February 21, 2024
“These machines are meant to be used by the protesters to damage the barricades thereby posing serious danger to the police and paramilitary forces deployed on duty and are likely to compromise the security scenario in Haryana,” it added.
The situation remains tense as protesters defy court rulings restricting tractor-trolley movement on highways, asserting their right to protest while demanding legislative guarantees for MSP and broader agricultural reforms. As farmers continue their steadfast stance at the Shambhu and Khanauri border posts, the standoff persists, underscoring the unresolved tensions between agricultural communities and the government.
