In an effort to block farmers from reaching Delhi in their proposed march, the authorities in Haryana have sealed all borders with Punjab using massive cement barricades and barbed wires. This move comes as farmers from over 200 unions prepare to commence their march on February 13, demanding several reforms and guarantees from the government.

The elaborate arrangements at the Haryana-Punjab borders include not only cement barricades and barbed wires, but also iron nails and heavy police deployment. In addition, route diversions and a seven-tier security cordon have been instituted to maintain control and ensure the safety of commuters and the general public.

The memories of a similar event in 2020 have contributed to the stringent measures taken by the authorities. Back then, farmers from Punjab and nearby areas broke police barriers at the Shambhu border to march towards Delhi, where they staged a year-long protest against the now-repealed farm laws.

To prevent farmers from reaching the highways through tractors, officials have dug up the Ghaggar river bed. Furthermore, the Haryana government has imposed Section 144 in several districts and ordered the suspension of mobile internet services and bulk SMS in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa.

Despite a three-member team of Union ministers holding a discussion with farmer leaders and assuring them of a second round of talks, the proposed 'Delhi Chalo' march remains on schedule. In fact, farmers in Rajpura have already taken out a tractor march as part of their preparations.

The farmers' demands include the enactment of a law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) for crops, the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm laborers, farm debt waiver, withdrawal of police cases, and justice for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

In response to the farmers' demands, the union ministers have invited farm union leaders for a meeting on March 12 in Chandigarh, a day before the scheduled march. It remains to be seen how negotiations between the government and farmers unfold in the coming days.

As tensions escalate and authorities tighten security measures, the situation along the Haryana-Punjab borders remains tense. All eyes will be on the farmers' march towards Delhi as they try to press the government for their rights and reforms in the agricultural sector.