Farmers from Punjab, under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Parishad, broke police barricades near Noida’s Dalit Prerna Sthal on Monday and began their march towards Delhi to demand a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).
The protest, led by the first group of farmers, commenced at the Maha Maya flyover in Noida. Police had prepared extensive security arrangements, including barricading, drone surveillance, and additional personnel at all major Delhi borders. Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjay Kumar confirmed the imposition of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita to maintain order during the ongoing Parliament session.
Photos from the protest site depict police efforts to prevent farmers from crossing barriers. Sagar Singh Kalsi, Additional Commissioner of Police, Eastern Range, stated that measures had been taken to avoid disruptions to the public and that anti-riot equipment was on standby.
This action follows the Supreme Court’s appeal to Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to ensure protests remain peaceful and avoid blocking highways. Dallewal, on a hunger strike at the Khanauri border, is pressing for the acceptance of farmers’ demands. The court emphasized the importance of peaceful protests without causing inconvenience to the public.
Farmers, under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been protesting at border points between Punjab and Haryana since February. Their demands include MSP legislation, Swaminathan Commission recommendations, pensions for farmers and laborers, debt waivers, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 agitation.
Despite repeated appeals, the farmers claim the government has not engaged in meaningful discussions since February. Their march signifies renewed determination to press for their rights.
