In a significant development regarding the farmers’ protest, the Haryana Police in Ambala district has commenced the process of passport and visa cancellation of individuals involved in breaking barricades or causing disturbances at the Punjab-Haryana border during the recent farmer agitation. This move comes as authorities aim to hold accountable those responsible for violent incidents during the protests.
According to Ambala DSP Joginder Singh, action is being taken against individuals identified as being involved in disturbances during the farmer agitation. The police have initiated communication with relevant authorities to cancel passports and visas of those identified through CCTV footage, drone cameras, and videography capturing instances of breaking barricades and causing disturbances.
#WATCH | Haryana: On efforts to cancel passports and Visas of the alleged farmers involved in violence, DSP Ambala Joginder Sharma says, "We have identified involved in violence coming to Haryana from Punjab in the name of farmers' protest. We have identified them with CCTV… pic.twitter.com/AotrtQDle2
— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2024
However, it’s clarified that not all participants in the farmer agitation are implicated in such activities. The focus is solely on those individuals who engaged in disruptive behaviour, causing harm to public and private property.
Meanwhile, leaders of Haryana farmer unions have alleged that notices have been posted on their residences by the state police, indicating that damages caused during the agitation will be compensated by seizing properties and freezing bank accounts. This move has sparked further tensions between the protesting farmers and law enforcement authorities.
In another related development, the Punjab Police has filed a murder case following the death of a farmer, Shubhkaran Singh, during clashes between protesting farmers and security personnel at the Khanauri border point. Shubhkaran lost his life amid clashes on February 21, while several security personnel were injured.
The incident unfolded as some protesting farmers attempted to move towards police barricades set up to hinder their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. The Punjab Police registered a case against unidentified persons under sections 302 (murder) and 114 (abettor present when an offence is committed) of the Indian Penal Code, following a complaint filed by Shubhkaran’s father.
The registration of the FIR marks a crucial step in resolving the deadlock between farmers and the Punjab government, allowing for a post-mortem examination. However, tensions remain high as farmers, predominantly from Punjab, continue their protests at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points.
Farmer leaders have stopped theor protest till February 29 and they will devise their next course of action later on. Their demands include a legal guarantee on the minimum support price for crops and farm loan waivers, urging the Centre to address their concerns promptly.
The developments in both Haryana and Punjab underscore the complex and ongoing nature of the farmers’ agitation, which has seen widespread support and solidarity from farming communities across the country. As tensions persist, authorities are grappling with the challenge of maintaining law and order while addressing the legitimate grievances of the protesting farmers.
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