In anticipation of farmer protests, heavy police fortifications have been set up at Delhi’s borders, especially Ghazipur, with enhanced strategies in place to prevent any unlawful assembly between February 13 and February 15. Intelligence reports have raised concerns about potential protest actions by farmer groups who previously demonstrated in 2021. Officers have been advised to take vigilant measures against the possibility of protesters sneaking into Delhi and staging snap demonstrations at significant locations, including the Prime Minister’s residence and the homes of the home and agriculture ministers. Additional surveillance and restriction under Section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed in various areas, prohibiting gatherings.
Aware of past mobilizations, intelligence units in Punjab and Haryana project the participation of approximately 10,000 to 15,000 protesters, with 2,000 to 2,500 tractor-trollies ready at the Delhi borders. Farmers are expected to venture to Delhi through Shambhu, Khanori, and Dabwali borders, carrying supplies for prolonged protests. Rehearsals of the march with tractors took place in February in Haryana cities, and effective mobilization has been facilitated through network organizations and social media platforms.
Security along the Punjab-Haryana borders, as well as Singhu, Ghazipur, and Tikri borders, has been significantly heightened. Barricades and nails on roads have been installed, anticipating possible attempts by farmers to push their way into the national capital. Teams have been dispatched across Delhi’s transport hubs to prevent farmers from entering the city. Additionally, the suspension of mobile internet services and bulk SMS has been mandated in certain Haryana districts. Restrictions on large gatherings have also been enforced along the UP border within Delhi’s North-East district.
As part of their protest, farmers completed a tractor march in Rajpura, while agricultural ministers are scheduled to meet leaders of farmer organizations to address their grievances. More than 200 farmer unions are expected to initiate the march with key demands such as a law guaranteeing minimum support prices (MSP) for crops, the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, farming pensions, farm debt waivers, withdrawal of police cases, and seeking justice for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.