Chandigarh, Hundreds of farmers were detained in Gurugram, Haryana, as they attempted to march towards Delhi in protest against what they claim is unfair compensation for their land sold to the state government. The police action in the Manesar area prevented the farmers from proceeding to the capital, where they aimed to express their grievances and solidarity with the ongoing farmers’ agitation.

According to Kashmir Media Service, authorities had earlier transformed the Manesar region into a tightly controlled zone to thwart the farmers’ march to Delhi. The police detained the protestors as they began their journey, effectively halting the demonstration that sought to challenge the compensation terms for over 1,800 acres of farmland.

The protest, organized by the Dakshin Haryana Kisan Khap and other groups, was intended as a peaceful march to demand a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops and to oppose what they view as illegal land acquisition. The demonstrators aimed to join forces with the ‘Delhi Chalo’ movement, further emphasizing their call for fair treatment and equitable compensation.

Farmer leaders have accused the Haryana government of authoritarian practices following the detention of protestors, criticizing the state’s approach to land compensation. The land in question spans five villages in the Manesar area, totaling 1,810 acres, for which the farmers argue they were not adequately compensated. The intended destination of the protest was Jantar Mantar in Delhi, a well-known site for demonstrations and public expression.

Leaders within the farming community, including Mahendra Singh and Santokh Singh, voiced their frustration with the government’s tactics, alleging that the state’s intention is to undervalue and seize farmers’ lands. Despite the day’s setbacks, they vowed to continue their movement until their demands, particularly the MSP guarantee, are fully acknowledged and met by the government.