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‘Don’t give protesters services of equipment’: Haryana DGP warns JCB, poclain operators & owners as farmers take heavy machines to ‘move barricades’ at border, Punjab and Haryana High Court slams agitating farmers, "Can’t use tractor trolleys on highways"
As the farmers' protests continue, the Chief of Police in Punjab has issued a strict prohibition on the transportation of large construction machinery, including JCBs, Poclaines, Tippers, and Hydras, towards the border areas between Punjab and Haryana, specifically targeting the Khanauri and Shambu checkpoints.
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This directive has been formally communicated to all chief law enforcement officers in the region, including both Senior Superintendents of Police (SSP) and Commissioners of Police (CP). The focus of this order is to thwart any attempts by protestors to dismantle the barricades erected by the Haryana Police, thereby preventing unauthorized entry into the state.
Following a formal plea from the Haryana Police Chief, this preventive measure aims to ensure the safety and security of the state border, highlighting the administration's resolve to maintain peace and order amidst the ongoing protests.
ideos circulating on social media depict the scene of protesters heading towards the Haryana border with heavy machinery in tow. A voice in one such video points out that a poclain machine is en route to dismantle the barriers erected at the Shambhu border.
The poclain's operator cabin is notably shielded on all sides with metal sheets. The narrator elaborates that this metal protection is to shield against any potential interference from "Modi and Khattar's group," ensuring the farmers' safety as they prepare to remove the barricades with the poclain.
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Poclains, known for their excavation capabilities, are equipped with tracks that enable them to navigate various landscapes with ease.
Television news channels have reported that the protest site at the border is seeing an accumulation of protesters equipped with JCBs and poclains, facing off against state security forces behind a seven-tier barricade.
In a related development, the Haryana Police has taken to the social media platform X, issuing a call to owners and operators of such heavy machinery, urging them not to lend their equipment's services to the protesting groups.
The police have directly addressed owners and operators of Poclains and JCBs with a critical message: "Owners and operators of Poclains, JCBs: Pls do not provide the services of ur equipment to the protestors. Pl withdraw these machines from the protest site. These machines may be used to cause harm to security forces, it’s a non bailable offence and you may be held criminally liable," as expressed on social media.
The Ambala Police have taken legal steps against unidentified individuals associated with the operation of a Poclain machine during the protests. They announced on social media, "During the farmers’ movement, a case has been registered against the unknown suspected drivers of the Poklane machine shown in the picture with the intention of causing damage to government property by driving the Poklane machine. Ambala Police."
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Can’t use tractor trolleys on highways: Punjab and Haryana High Court slams agitating farmers, says right to protest is subjected to reasonable restrictions
On February 20th, a notable directive came from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, aimed squarely at the ongoing farmers' protests. The court unequivocally stated that the use of tractors and trolleys on highways is not permissible under the Motor Vehicles Act. This announcement serves as a reminder to the protesting farmers, emphasizing the balance between exercising fundamental rights and adhering to constitutional duties. The court's message is clear: while the right to protest is fundamental, it must be exercised within the framework of law and order.
A divisional bench, led by Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) GS Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji, is currently deliberating on two significant pleas. One challenges the government's alleged obstructive tactics against the protests, and the other calls for immediate action to address the disruptions caused by the protests. These hearings are pivotal in determining the course of the farmers' agitation and the government's response.
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In a crucial moment during the hearings, ACJ Sandhawalia addressed the Punjab Government with a specific request: to prevent the assembly of large groups of protesting farmers. This directive underscores the court's stance that while the right to protest is acknowledged, it must be aligned with "reasonable restrictions" to ensure public safety and order. ACJ Sandhawalia's remarks also highlighted a concern about the mode of transportation used by the protesters, particularly the movement of tractors and trolleys on highways, which is contrary to the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. The judge's statement, "Everyone knows their fundamental rights, but there are also some constitutional duties that need to be followed," serves as a poignant reminder of the responsibilities that accompany the exercise of rights.
The Acting Chief Justice mentioned a practical solution for the transportation issues faced by protesting farmers, suggesting that tractors and trolleys, which are not usually allowed on highways, could instead be transported on trucks if necessary. This advice aims to facilitate the movement of equipment crucial for the farmers' protest within the confines of legal requirements.
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In the courtroom, the dialogue between the protesting farmers and the government was brought to the forefront. The Union government shared updates with the High Court about the discussions it had with the farmers regarding their demands. Following this update, the court asked the Union government to provide a detailed account of these discussions through a new affidavit. With this requirement, the court postponed the hearing to the following week, allowing time for the preparation and submission of the detailed documentation.
In a significant move, the Farmer Unions declared their intention to restart their ‘Dilli Chalo’ march on 21st February. This decision to resume the protest and demand a specific law for Minimum Support Price (MSP) from the Union government comes after the rejection of the government’s proposal. The proposal included a five-year plan for the procurement of pulses, maize, and cotton at MSP to promote diversification in cropping. This rejection by the farmers’ unions underscores their continued demand for a more concrete and legally binding support mechanism.
Earlier on 13th February, a significant mobilization was observed as a large number of farmers commenced their march towards the national capital. In response to the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, extensive security measures were implemented in Kurukshetra, Haryana. These measures included the deployment of concrete slabs, iron nails, barricades, barbed wire, and both police and paramilitary forces, aimed at managing the situation as the farmers advanced. The march is part of a broader campaign by the farmers seeking legal assurances for MSP, among other demands, highlighting the ongoing struggle for rights and recognition within the agricultural sector.
Besides seeking legislation for Minimum Support Price (MSP), the farmers participating in the protests have put forward several demands. These include India withdrawing from the World Trade Organisation (WTO), stopping trade agreements with other countries, and providing a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 to farmers who reach the age of 60 years, among other requests. The mobilization for these protests has been organized by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, under the leadership of farmer union leaders Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher.
Negotiations between the government and the protesting farmers have been ongoing, with four rounds of discussions taking place on the 8th, 12th, 15th, and 18th of February. These talks involved representatives from the farmers' unions and three Union Ministers, aiming to address and potentially resolve the concerns raised by the agitating farmers.
The economic implications of the protests have been significant, with an industry body estimating that the disruptions caused by the farmers' protest in the Delhi-NCR region could lead to a daily loss exceeding Rs 500 crore. This situation is expected to have a detrimental effect on the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) figures for the northern states in the fourth quarter, highlighting the broader economic impact of the ongoing demonstrations.
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