In a major escalation, the Haryana government has invoked the National Security Act against farmer leaders on Friday, February 23 amidst the ongoing protests. The NSA allows police to make preventive detentions of individuals who are considered a threat to national security.
At present, the police officials are gathering information regarding property loss in Ambala district. The police are planning to compensate the losses by attaching property and assets of farmers involved in the protest.
According to a statement issued by the Ambala police, since February 13, farmers' unions have attempted to breach barricades at the Shambhu border as part of their march towards Delhi. Daily incidents of stone-pelting and disruption of public order have been reported, resulting in significant damage to both government and private property, currently being assessed by Ambala police.
"Daily attempts are being made to disrupt the law and order by pelting stones at the police administration and by creating ruckus. During this period, a lot of damage has been caused to government and private property by the hooligans. The damage caused to government and private property by the agitators is being assesses", it said
In anticipation of potential damage, the administration had previously warned of property and bank account seizures as compensation for losses caused by protesters. Individuals affected by property damage during the protests have been encouraged to report their losses to the administration for further action.
Since February 13, Ambala police have prevented protesting farmers from crossing into Haryana through the Shambhu border, employing tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, and multi-layered barricades. On the first day, farmers managed to remove one layer of concrete block barricading and move the blocks to the Punjab side.