Farmers' March: Haryana seals Khanauri border point

Haryana Police have established multi-layer barricading at the Khanauri inter-state border point, effectively sealing the route for protesting farmers. The farmers, operating under the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) Non-Political banner, had organized a 228-km 'Kisan Bachao Padyatra' (Save Farmer Foot March). The march was set to begin at Data Singh Wala village on the Punjab-Haryana border, with the goal of reaching Jantar Mantar in Delhi for a farmers' panchayat scheduled for August 29.

The protest is primarily aimed at opposing the proposed India-US trade deal, which participants argue will have an adverse effect on India's agricultural sector. Farmers are demanding a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of all crops, based on the Swaminathan Commission’s C2+50 percent formula. Leaders of the movement argue that the deal would facilitate the import of cheaper agricultural products, significantly undermining the domestic economy and the livelihoods of Indian farmers.

Authorities in Haryana have responded by deploying concrete barricades, riot control vehicles, and barbed wire along the border. Officials from the Jind district police confirmed that the marchers did not possess the required official permission. Furthermore, reports indicate that several protest leaders were detained in various locations even before the march could commence from its intended starting point.

Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a leader of the SKM (Non-Political), stated that 51 farmers from across the country were set to participate in the foot march, accompanied by approximately 200 volunteers. Dallewal condemned the government's security measures, labeling the heavy barricading as a clear indication of an anti-farmer agenda. He claimed that the government is attempting to suppress the protest because they have no credible answers regarding the implications of the proposed trade agreement.

In addition to opposing the trade deal, the protesters are advocating for a broad set of demands, including the exclusion of dairy, poultry, fisheries, and other allied sectors from foreign trade agreements. They are also calling for measures to alleviate farmer debt, an increase in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane, the implementation of prior written assurances from the Centre, and the withdrawal of all legal cases filed during previous agricultural movements. The march was planned to traverse through Narwana, Uchana, Khatkar Toll, Jind, Ludana, Gohana, Israna, and Samalkha before reaching the Singhu border.