New Delhi: As farmers continue their protest near Haryana border areas, the Haryana Police in Ambala district have issued a stern warning to protesting farmers.
The police have stated that any damage to government and private property during the ongoing protests will lead to compensatory actions, including the attachment of properties and the seizure of bank accounts belonging to the protestors.
According to an official release from the Ambala police, dated February 13, 2024, farmer organisations have been making continuous efforts to breach the barricades imposed on the Shambhu border. These attempts have reportedly resulted in disruptions to law and order, with instances of protesters pelting stones at the police administration and causing damage to government and private property through encroachment.
The release said that the damages are currently being assessed. The administration had previously warned that if protesters caused any harm to government or private property, compensatory measures would be taken by seizing their property and bank accounts. Notably, an amendment in the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act 1984 allows for holding individuals and officials of organizations responsible for any damage to public property during movements.
The release further points out that, according to the Haryana Public Administration’s Property Recovery Act 2021, in cases of damage to government property, there is a provision to compensate for the loss by attaching property and confiscating bank accounts of those responsible for the damage. Actions against farmer leaders are said to be underway, with proceedings initiated under the National Security Act (NSA) against the chief officials of farmer organizations and the agitators.
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait announced that protesting farmers, led by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), would observe a ‘Black Friday’ in memory of a farmer’s death at Khanauri Border crossing in Sangrur district, Punjab. Additionally, the SKM plans to conduct a tractor march on highways towards the national capital.
In an exclusive conversation with ANI, Tikait stated, “We will observe a ‘Black Friday’ tomorrow condoling the death of a farmer at the Khanauri Border crossing in Punjab. We held a tractor march yesterday as well.”
An official press statement by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called for a massive mobilisation of farmers across India in favour of its demands and against the perceived repression of the farmers’ movement in the country.
According to the statement, “The SKM General Body (GB) on Thursday decided to organise a massive mobilisation of farmers with a slew of programs to be observed all over India in support of its demands and against the repression of the farmers’ struggle.”
