Farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' March Halted After Injuries from Tear Gas Shelling

Chandigarh, Dec 8 (NationPress) On Sunday, farmers protesting, primarily from Punjab, have temporarily suspended their march towards Delhi for the day following injuries sustained from tear gas shelling by Haryana Police at the interstate border. This action was taken to disperse the group and prevent them from continuing their 'Delhi Chalo' march.

According to farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, at least eight farmers were injured, with one requiring urgent medical attention at the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh.

"We have called back the 'jatha' (group of 101 farmers)," he informed reporters at the protest site.

Pandher indicated that the farmers would determine their next steps after a meeting of their forums -- the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.

Earlier in the day, a second group of 101 farmers attempted to resume their march from the Shambhu protest site but were stopped by layered barricades set up by Haryana security forces.

Tear gas was deployed against the protesting farmers, along with water jets, to disperse them upon reaching the barricades.

Haryana Police’s Deputy Superintendent of Police Ram Kumar stated, "We have received clear instructions to verify their identity and permission before allowing them to progress, but the farmers disagreed."

The farmers, representing the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, commenced the second day of their 'Delhi Chalo' march after postponing it for one day on Saturday, but were halted mere meters from the barricades, which were secured with a heavy welded wire mesh.

They are marching to advocate for their long-standing demands, which include a legal guarantee for a minimum support price (MSP) for crops, loan waivers, and reforms to enhance the agricultural sector.

A protester remarked, "The Haryana government has transformed this border into something akin to the India-Pakistan border."

To avert any potential incidents, security measures at the interstate border along the Ghaggar Rivulet have been intensified.

In a gesture of goodwill, police officers attempted to calm the farmers, who argued that as Indians, they have the right to march to the national capital without needing permission. Police extended offers of water and biscuits, along with a shower of flower petals.

On Friday, the protesting farmers had postponed their march for a day, citing injuries to six individuals in a clash with security forces.

They expressed a willingness to engage in discussions with the Central government regarding their demands without resorting to confrontations. However, they chose to resume their protests due to the absence of any dialogue offers from the Central government.

Prior to resuming the march, Pandher mentioned they had not received any communication from the Centre regarding talks to address their concerns.

Central paramilitary forces have also been stationed on the Haryana side of the border alongside state police.

Haryana Police instructed the first group of 101 farmers, who were en route to the national capital, not to proceed further, citing a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Security forces had utilized at least 50 tear gas shells to disperse the protesting farmers when they attempted to navigate past the makeshift barricades, heavily guarded by paramilitary and police personnel, which were set up temporarily to obstruct the protesters' progress.

Mobile internet services and bulk messaging have been temporarily suspended in parts of Ambala district. District officials have already imposed orders prohibiting gatherings of five or more individuals, and both government-run and private schools have been closed for the day based on administrative directives.

To avoid further disruptions, the Haryana Police heightened security at the Ambala border with Punjab by establishing multilayered barricades at the Shambhu border along National Highway 44, along with the deployment of water cannons.

The farmers' previous attempts to march towards Delhi on February 13 and 21 had been obstructed by substantial security at the Punjab-Haryana border. Since then, farmers representing the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been conducting protests at the border.