Chandigarh, Nov 18: The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) announced on Monday that farmers will march towards Delhi on December 6 to press the government to meet their long-standing demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
The decision was made during a meeting of farmer leaders. Since February 13, protesting farmers have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana, following the disruption of their 'Delhi Chalo' march by security forces.
KMM leader Sarwan Singh Pandher addressed the media, stating that after waiting for months, the farmers had no choice but to proceed towards Delhi. "We will move towards Delhi on December 6," he said, expressing frustration with the government's refusal to engage in talks. "We have been patient, waiting for nine months for the government to reach out, but now we are left with no option," he added.
Farmers will march in batches from the Shambhu border to the national capital. Tejveer Singh of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) pointed out that they have been camping at the two border points for 280 days without any discussions with the Centre since February 18.
Last week, farmers declared plans to intensify their protest, with a fast-unto-death beginning on November 26. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal will lead the fast.
In addition to a legal MSP guarantee, the farmers are demanding several other reforms, including a farm debt waiver, pensions for farmers and farm laborers, no increase in electricity tariffs, withdrawal of police cases, and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. They are also calling for the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 and compensation for the families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 agitation.
