Farmers' Unions announce escalated protests amid allegations of police crackdown and unmet demands
Ferozepur/Mohali, March 24, 2025: The leadership of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) held a meeting at Amb Sahib Gurdwara in Mohali, outlining their future course of action after the police crackdown and unmet demands.
The protest had begun on February 13 last year at both Shambhu and Khanauri, after four rounds of talks with the Centre’s ministerial panel failed. The Haryana government refused to allow the protesters into their territory, and set up concrete blockades.Meanwhile,
The farmers' protest at Shambhu border began on February 13, 2024, and continued until March 19, 2025, when the protest sites were dismantled. This means the protest lasted for 401 days. It was a significant movement demanding reforms like a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and loan waivers.
On the intervening night of March 4 and 5, the Punjab Police swooped down at residences of leaders of farmer unions aligned with the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, detaining many of them and Operation Highway was launched on March 19.
Addressing the press after the meeting, the leaders condemned the March 19 arrests of farmer representatives who had met with central officials. They highlighted the severe police crackdown at Shambhu and Khanauri borders, comparing the situation to 1947 and 1984.
The farmer leaders alleged that hundreds of protesters were arrested, and elderly and female farmers faced police brutality. They also reported attacks on journalists, including the arrest of Parbhjeet Singh from Story Talk, the beating of Gursamsir, the confiscation of Mandeep Poonia’s phone, and the vandalization of journalist Mandeep Singh Kang’s camera. Senior leader Balwant Singh Bahramke was reportedly beaten at Bajwa Dhaba on March 20. They also accused the police of facilitating the theft of tractors, trolleys, and other goods worth crores in collaboration with local mining mafias and politicians.
The unions also raised concerns over the arrest of Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose location is reportedly being changed frequently, preventing any access to him. In response to these developments, the farmer organizations announced a series of major protests: March 27: A Sadbhavna Sangat Gathering at Gurudwara Nathana Sahib, Jhandmangoli, in response to communal tensions allegedly stirred by 86 individuals. March 28: Support for the SKM Bharat’s protest outside DC offices.
March 31: A one-day protest outside the residences of AAP ministers, which could escalate into an indefinite demonstration if demands are not met. Key demands include the unconditional release of all jailed farmers, cancellation of MLA Gurlal Ghannaur’s membership, recovery of stolen goods, compensation for damages, and strict action against those responsible for the police crackdown, including the dismissal of SHO Harpreet Singh for alleged brutality against farmers.
The unions reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the agitation over their 12-point demand charter against the central government.