'Sense of fear' among people, farmers 'determined' to stop lifeline of northern states: Haryana Govt tells HC
The Haryana government argued that the latest agitation by the farmers' unions was not only violent but also witnessed indulging in crime by agitators, who created a ruckus in Delhi on January 26, 2021, and removed Tricolor from the Red Fort.
Farmers protest: Farmers' unions have instilled a “sense of fear” among the people of Haryana and are “completely bent” or stopping the lifeline of the northern states, the Haryana government said in an affidavit filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday.
The status report, filed in an affidavit by Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary (Home), TVSN Prasad, stated that some farmer unions, under the banner of 'Kisan Majdoor Morcha' and 'Samyukta Kisan Morcha' (Non-Political), had taken a call from 'Delhi Chalo' marching without seeking permission or informing state authorities.
There were rumors that thousands of agitators would travel in modified tractors/trolleys with weapons and facilities to camp in Delhi. There are also signs that they will 'gherao' Parliament, the report said.
The submission, filed in an affidavit before a division bench of Acting Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Vikas Suri, alleged that the farmers' movement has instilled a “sense of fear” among the people of Haryana.
Protest planned in line with farmers' agitation in 2020-2021
It said the protest has been planned in line with the year-long farmers' blockade of Delhi in 2020-21, which paralyzed the movement of general commuters, as well as that of goods and essential services, in the NCR region.
The Haryana government argued that the latest agitation by the farmers' unions was not only violent but also witnessed indulging in crime by agitators, who created a ruckus in Delhi on January 26, 2021, and removed Tricolor from the Red Fort.
Stating that the police have constructed a multi-layered barricade at all major entry points to the inter-state border, it said, “If the agitators are therefore allowed to move further, they will camp at the borders of Delhi on the Haryana State side, as they had done during the last agitation.”
'He is determined to stop the lifeline of the northern states'
It added: “The camping of farmers along the highways would seriously affect the movement of people, goods and essential services.
“The farmer unions are determined to stop the lifeline of the North Indian states and therefore, in such a scenario, the authorities are making sincere efforts, in accordance with the law, to maintain the movement of citizens, goods and essential services by prevent the restive farmers from entering the country. in the Haryana region.”
Similarly, other national highways or the roads connecting towns and villages should not be allowed to be seized by the agitators, the report stated.
Protesters try to tear down barricades
The government said the concerns raised by the intelligence agencies have been confirmed by the action of the farmer unions over the past two days.
“The agitators are doing everything they can to break the barricades erected by Haryana Police at the borders of Haryana. They move with modified tractors and weapons.
“Therefore, the violent movement of the agitators on national/state highways has created a sense of fear among the citizens of the state of Haryana that the farmers' unions will once again choke the movement of people, essential goods and services, which will adversely affect the industrial economy. /economic activities,” the report said.
The Haryana government has identified locations in Yamunanagar, Charkhi Dadri, Kurukshetra, Jhajjar, Panchkula and Karnal for farmers to hold peaceful protests.
The Government of Punjab files an affidavit
Meanwhile, a separate statement filed by the Punjab government said that around 12,000 to 13,000 people along with around 1,120 tractors and 1,320 carts had gathered at the Shambhu border till Wednesday evening, and around 4,000 to 5,000 farmers along with 450 tractors and 470 trucks. trolleys, at the border with Khanauri.
According to the status report filed by way of affidavit of Punjab Special DGP Arpit Shukla, detailed security arrangements have been made by Patiala, Sangrur, Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar police to deal with “any situation”.
The situation at the borders of Shambhu and Khanauri is tense but under control, the report said.
Petitioner Uday Pratap Singh has sought directions from the court to stay all “obstructive” actions by Haryana, Punjab and Union governments against the farmers' protest. The court has fixed February 20 as the next date for the hearing.
(With PTI inputs)