Farmers Protest: In a significant development, the Ambala district’s Haryana Police has invoked the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, against farmer leaders and unions amid the two-day halt on the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. Authorities have indicated that this move is in response to the ongoing farmer protests, citing concerns over law and order and damage to public property. However, on Friday, Haryana Police revoked the NSA charges slapped on farmer protestors but they still have to bear the cost of the damages done to the public property.

Compensation for Property Damage

The Ambala Police, in a statement released on X, declared that proceedings under the NSA have commenced against chief officials of farmer organizations and agitators. The release emphasized that the agitators would also be held liable for compensating any damage caused to public property. The move comes after two police officials lost their lives, and over 30 were injured during the ongoing farmers’ protest.

Farmers Protest – Concerns Over Social Media Usage

The police release highlighted concerns regarding the use of social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, and Instagram, by certain farm leaders to disseminate provocative content aimed at disturbing social harmony.

Initiation of Legal Actions

Legal actions are being taken to address the loss of government property during the farmers’ movement. The Ambala Police informed that proceedings include the attachment of property belonging to the agitators and the seizure of bank accounts.

Farmers Protest – Continuous Attempts to Break Barricades

Since February 13, 2024, farmer organizations have been making persistent efforts to break the barricade installed on the Shambhu Border for their march towards Delhi. Daily attempts involving stone-pelting at the police administration and creating a ruckus in the region have been reported, aiming to disrupt the law and order situation.

किसान आन्दोलन के दौरान हुई सरकारी सम्पति के नुकसान की भरपाई आन्दोलनकारियो की सम्पति की कुर्की और बैंक खातो को सीज करने की कार्यवाही शुरू ।
अम्बाला पुलिस @police_haryana @AdgpAmbalaRange @DGPHaryana pic.twitter.com/97sCHZGvp1

— Ambala Police (@AmbalaPolice) February 22, 2024

Compensation Warning

The administration had previously warned agitators that any damage caused to government or private property during the protest would result in compensation through the seizure of their property and bank accounts. The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, has provisions to hold responsible those causing damages during protests.

Farmers Protest – Protesting Farmers’ Response

In response to the recent events, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait announced that the protesting farmers, led by Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), would observe a ‘Black Friday’ following the death of a farmer at Khanauri Border. The SKM plans to hold a tractor march on highways leading to the national capital as part of their continued protest.