Chandigarh: Seeking a minimum support price (MSP) guarantee, Haryana and Delhi braced for the march by Punjab farmers on Wednesday. The Punjab-Haryana border points witnessed a surge in farmer tractor trolley numbers, despite the High Court's reminder that tractor trolleys are prohibited on highways. In response, the Haryana police urged their Punjab counterparts to seize heavy earthmoving machinery at the inter-state border and restrict certain groups, including women, children, and journalists, from crossing the border within a kilometer.

Meanwhile, Sarvan Singh Pandher, the general secretary of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and one of the farm leaders engaged in talks with Union Ministers, demanded that the Prime Minister convene a special session of Parliament to enact MSP guarantee legislation.

In contrast, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda appealed to the farmers for peace, emphasizing the importance of progressing from discussions to solutions. He stated, "We must keep discussing this issue… We all want peace… and we should together find a solution for this issue."

Gurdeep Singh Chahal, a spokesperson for Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Sidhupur), announced that farmers would proceed with their tractors and trolleys, indicating a growing assembly at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points. Pandher and BKU (Sidhupur) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal were set to lead the protest at Shambhu on Wednesday.

In a related development, Punjab Raj Bhavan announced the postponement of Governor Banwarilal Purohit's visit to the border areas, which included districts such as Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Fazilka.

Simultaneously, in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Acting Chief Justice G S Sandhawalia expressed skepticism about the use of tractor trolleys for the 'Dilli Chalo' protest march, stating, "How can you go from Amritsar to Delhi in a tractor trolley?… If you want to go to Delhi, you may go by bus."

During the court proceedings, the State of Haryana affirmed its commitment to take action against law violators and ensure minimal disruptions to important roads and locations in the state.

Similarly, the Punjab government, through its affidavit, assured strict measures to prevent the movement of heavy machinery towards Patiala and Sangrur districts. The affidavit also provided details of the gathering at various border points, highlighting the peaceful situation maintained by the Haryana Police.