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Movement

Punjab Farmers’ Third March to Delhi Halted; Haryana Police Use Tear Gas, Water Cannons

The situation turned volatile as the farmers attempted to breach cement barricades erected by Haryana police near the Shambhu border.

Punjab Farmers’ Third March to Delhi Halted; Haryana Police Use Tear Gas, Water Cannons

Tear gas being fired at protesting farmers at the Shambhu border on Saturday. Image: X/@NeelkamalTOI

Haryana police on Saturday (December 14), deployed water cannons and tear gas to thwart Punjab farmers’ third attempt to march towards Delhi on foot. The farmers are demanding, among other things, a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP) for crops.

Tensions escalated at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana as several farmers sustained injuries during the police action.

Many were carried away on stretchers, with farmer unions claiming that ten individuals were injured, including one seriously, after being struck by a high-velocity shell.

Injured farmers include Kuldeep Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Shamsher Singh, Mukhtar Singh, Darshan Singh, Meehan Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Jageer Singh, and Paramjeet Singh.

An injured farmer being carried on a stretcher for medical attention. Image: X/@NeelkamalTOI

This is the third instance in a week where farmers faced police action in Haryana, following similar incidents on December 6 and 8, which left nearly two dozen farmers injured and temporarily halted their protest.

The situation turned volatile as the farmers attempted to breach cement barricades erected by Haryana police near the Shambhu border.

Ambala senior superintendent of police, Surinder Singh, urged farmers to turn back, citing the Supreme Court's interim order from December 13. He mentioned that a high-level committee appointed by the Court would engage with farmers and other stakeholders to address their concerns, asking them to wait until December 18 for discussions.

However, the protesting farmers expressed distrust in such committees, pointing to past failures like the M.S. Swaminathan committee, whose recommendations they said were never implemented.

When farmers refused to retreat, the Haryana police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. While this temporarily pushed them back, the protest continued as of the latest reports.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher condemned the BJP-led Union and Haryana governments for using force against a peaceful protest, accusing them of insensitivity towards farmers' issues.

"Indian government, the fifth largest economy in the world, used force against 101 farmers... Chemical water was thrown at us using cannons. Bombs were thrown at us. Tear gas shells were also thrown... 17 farmers have been injured, out of which many are in serious condition, and they are not being given proper treatment in the hospital. We are telling the Punjab government to ensure good treatment. On December 16, a tractor march will be organised outside Punjab, and on December 18th, we have called 'Rail Roko' in Punjab. We appeal to all Punjabis to participate in "Rail Roko' in large numbers.” Pandher said.

He also accused the opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi, of reneging on their earlier promise to support the farmers' cause.

“The opposition should not run away from their role by just giving a statement. They should shed light on the agenda to fulfil the demands of farmers. They should stall the Parliament on our issue just like they are stalling the Parliament on other issues. Rahul Gandhi is not raising our issue in the Parliament as he had assured us," he added.

To prevent further unrest, the Haryana administration suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 12 villages near the Shambhu border. The affected villages include Dangdehri, Lehgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, and Sultanpur, among others. 
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS Act, banning the assembly of five or more people, were also extended in the district.

Prominent wrestler and All India Kisan Congress working president, Bajrang Punia, joined the farmers at the protest site, voicing his support.

Sharing updates on social media, he condemned the police action, stating, “It has been a short time since I arrived, and many farmers have been injured. Tear gas shells are being fired relentlessly. Such cruelty against annadatta (farmers)!”
 
Security at the Shambhu border has been significantly increased. Layers of barricades have been erected, and drones are being used to monitor the protest. Paramilitary forces have also been deployed to control the situation.

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