Intelligence sources have identified seven farm unions that could take part in the February 13 march. However, prominent unions, which had actively led the farmers’ agitation in 2021 and exercised considerable influence in Hisar, Bhiwani, Jind and Rohtak districts, have distanced themselves from the agitation.
Among the organisations that have announced to participate in the stir include the SKM (non-political), Kisan Majdoor Morcha, BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh), Bhartiya Kisan Nojawan Union (BKNU), Bhartiya Kisan Ekta (BKE), BKU (Kheti Bachao) and BKU (Chhotu Ram). The sources said most of these farmers’ bodies had cadres and wielded influence among farmers in Sirsa, Fatehabad, Ambala and in certain areas in Jind, Hisar, Kurukshetra, Karnal and Kaithal districts. The sources claimed that Abhimanyu Kohar, who heads BKNU, was leading the stir in Haryana.
Lakhwinder Singh Aulakh, leader of Sirsa-based BKE, said they had made preparations for the Delhi march. “Most of the farmer unions that have cadres and have been raising the farmers’ issues without any political biases are with us. Certain unions, which allied with the Congress or other political outfits, have decided not to participate,” he said, adding that they were undeterred by the heavy bandobast being undertaken by the state authorities to stop them from marching to the national capital.
However, other farmers unions like the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (which had spearheaded the agitation in 2021), All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), BKU (Charuni) and Pagri Sambhal Jatta, are not part of the march. Inderjit Singh, leader of AIKS, said 16 organisations, which were part of the SKM, were not part of the Delhi march decision.
The sources revealed that district administrations had chalked out strategies as per the strength and cadres of farm unions. On the basis of intelligence inputs, the police revealed that there could be a build-up of support of farmers in Haryana, like in 2021, if Punjab farmers managed to cross over to Haryana. “Thus the police are on high alert and have been sealing the border areas with Punjab,” they said.
