Haryana Police implement 12-layer blockade on the Punjab-Haryana border to stop farmers
New Delhi: In a renewed show of defiance against the Modi government, farmers from Punjab and Haryana are embarking on a journey to Delhi for the 'Delhi Chalo' protest scheduled for February 13.
The agitators, raising slogans against the government, have formed a lengthy cavalcade comprising tractor trailers, cars, bikes, and buses, aiming to voice their demands promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the conclusion of the farmers' protest in November 2021.
Departing from various locations such as Amritsar in Punjab to Ambala and Kurukshetra in Haryana, the highways and villages bear witness to farmers loading their tractors with essential supplies such as ration, tents, beds, and wood, signalling their commitment to reaching Delhi despite the hurdles.
The call for the protest has been issued by the non-political Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and the newly formed Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), led by prominent farmer union leaders Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Sarvan Singh Pandher. Notably, the umbrella organization that orchestrated the 2020 farmers' protest, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, has distanced itself from the current demonstrations, opting for a separate agitation on February 16.
While the farmers mobilize towards Delhi, the Haryana government has implemented a formidable 12-layer blockade on the Punjab-Haryana border highway along the Ghaggar river. Concrete walls, barricades entwined with concertina wires, iron nails embedded in concrete to deflate tractor tires, and gravel-filled intersections between barricades have been erected by the Haryana police.
Additionally, the police dug up the Ghaggar riverbed to prevent farmers from crossing over to the Haryana border. The authorities conducted a mock drill using teargas on the highway and randomly checked commuters' Aadhar cards for identity. Reports indicate that police teams are visiting villages to monitor farmers' movements and conducting raids at their residences. To prepare for potential detentions, two large stadiums have reportedly been converted into temporary jails by the Haryana government.
In response to the farmer's march, the Delhi Police imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, prohibiting gatherings, processions, and rallies.
Simultaneously, farmers have been invited for a second round of talks in Chandigarh with Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai. The initial meeting occurred on February 8.
Reacting to the situation, Sarvan Singh Pandher, coordinator of Kisan Mazdoor Ekta, stated, "These are not our demands but the commitments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is nothing new in this protest. PM Modi had promised us a law on MSP, which was our right. We are forced to conduct this protest, as the government backed out on its promises."
Amid these developments, farmer union leader Manjit Singh Rai from BKU (Doaba) expressed support for the protest. Speaking to The Wire, Rai emphasized that more farmer unions would join shortly, making the 'Delhi Chalo' protest larger than previous demonstrations.
Condemning the Haryana government's actions, Rai stated, "The government should remember that we are citizens of this country and want to reach Delhi to raise our demands. We are not coming from Pakistan or the Taliban. Why is the Modi government afraid of farmers? It is a totally unjust attitude."
Addressing allegations of opposition involvement in instigating the protests, Rai asserted that farmers were advocating for their rights independently. He questioned the government's stance on waiving corporate loans but not farmers' debts, highlighting the global unity among farmers against corporate influence.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann echoed concerns, urging the Union government not to create divisions between Punjab and India. Mann emphasized the need for the government to acknowledge farmers' legitimate demands.
As the farmers advance towards Delhi on February 13, tensions escalate, reminiscent of the 2020 protests against the now-repealed farm laws. Despite the repeal, farmers remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice and express determination to hold the government accountable for unfulfilled promises.
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Kerala polls: ‘People rejected 10 years of misrule’, says AICC gen secy
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal on Monday said the Congress-led UDF’s sweeping victory in the Kerala Assembly polls was a clear verdict against the “arrogance”, corruption, and nepotism of the CPI(M)-led LDF government headed by CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
Addressing a press conference as counting of votes for all 140 Assembly constituencies neared completion, Venugopal said the outcome reflected public anger against what he termed “10 years of misrule” by the Left government.
He claimed that Vijayan’s victory in his home constituency, Dharmadam, was “only technical”, alleging that the CM trailed the UDF candidate in the initial rounds of counting and failed to secure a majority in his own village.
“He just escaped. He suffered a setback even in his home turf. He was the only person who did not realise the people’s mood in this election,” Venugopal said.
Alleging that the CPI(M) and the LDF had resorted to “communal and opportunistic politics”, he further claimed that the ruling front had entered into a “secret understanding” with the BJP in a bid to retain power for a third consecutive term.
He said that when a government driven by power and arrogance attempts to align with anyone to stay in office, even its own cadre turns against it.
Referring to the results, Venugopal said that while the UDF expected rebel CPI(M) leaders, including K Kunhikrishnan in Payyannur, to impact the vote share, their victories came as a surprise.
Describing the UDF’s performance as a “historic victory”, he attributed it to coordinated teamwork, grassroots mobilisation, and the dedication of party workers, adding that the alliance accepted the mandate “with humility”.
Venugopal also credited Rahul Gandhi’s campaign guarantees, calling them a “trump card” that helped voters focus on real issues and reject what he described as the LDF’s “false narratives”.
He claimed that the Congress witnessed one of its lowest levels of rebellion in this election, which contributed to the alliance’s strong performance.
The senior Congress leader further alleged that the BJP managed to win two seats with the help of the CPI(M), and asserted that forces attempting to divide society on communal lines should “learn a lesson” from Kerala’s verdict.
“This is the real Kerala story,” he said.
On the question of the next Chief Minister, Venugopal said the party leadership would decide at the earliest after due consultations.
The counting of votes began on Monday morning for all 140 Assembly constituencies in Kerala, where the Congress-led UDF secured a decisive majority, defeating the CPI(M)-led LDF, which was seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term in office.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) posts, "Thank you to my brothers and sisters in Keralam for a truly decisive mandate. Congratulations to every UDF leader and worker for a hard-fought, well-run campaign. As I said before, Keralam has the talent, Keralam has the potential… pic.twitter.com/6T4IZbEmp4
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 4, 2026
