The Centre on Tuesday heightened the security at Delhi borders as protesting farmers marched towards the national capital to press for their demand for minimum support price for their produce.

Amid the protest, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda said a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops cannot be brought in a hurry without consulting all stakeholders and urged the protesting farmer groups to have a structured discussion with the government on the issue. He also cautioned the protesting farmers to be “aware and alert” about some elements which could defame their protest for political benefits.

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The government had held talks with Samyuka Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to resolve the farmers’ concerns, but in vain.

However, as the talks remained inconclusive, farmers’ groups have started their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.

Scenes of chaos filled the Shambhu border as the police tried to stop the protestors from entering the national capital. The protesting farmers were seen attempting to break the multi-layered barricades using their tractors and hand weapons.

Haryana police detained several protesting farmers as they marched towards Delhi. The farmers were seen running towards nearby farmland on the sides of the road as police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protestors.

Lending support to the agitation, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said demands for law on MSP, implementation of Swaminathan Committee report and debt waiver concern all farmers.

Meanwhile, the Congress promised a law to provide MSP if voted to power, and slammed the Centre for using force against the protesting farmers.

“This is the first guarantee of Congress on the path of justice. The move will change the lives of 15 crore farmer families by ensuring their well being,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X.

Addressing a gathering as part of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Ambikapur, he also charged Prime Minister Narendra Modi with using GST and demonetization as weapons to ruin small businessmen in the country. “The BJP government at the Centre announced Bharat Ratna for MS Swaminathan, but it is not ready to implement his suggestions (on agriculture and farmers),” he said.

Farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are demanding minimum support price (MSP) for their produce as assured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the time of withdrawal of three contentious farm laws in November 2021.

Massive security arrangements have been put in place on the borders of the national capital in view of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest by farmers. To ensure law and order, Delhi police have already enforced Section 144, restricting entry of tractor trolleys and large assemblies.

Visuals from Delhi’s Gazipur border, Shambhu border and Tikri border showed barricades and barbed wires erected on the roads blocking entry. Similar arrangements were observed at the Singhu border with rows of barricades lining the road.

According to police, a robust force of more than 2,000 personnel, including CAPF, Crime Branch staff and battalions, are keeping a vigil to maintain law and order and address any untoward incidents.