Chandigarh, Dec 6 (NationPress) Protesting farmers, predominantly from Punjab, convened at an interstate border in Haryana to express support for the 'Delhi Chalo' foot march. However, they have decided to delay their march for one day due to reports that six of their members sustained injuries during a clash with security personnel.

They have also expressed their willingness to engage in discussions with the central government regarding their demands, which include a legal assurance for minimum support price (MSP) for crops and a waiver on loans, emphasizing a non-confrontational approach.

At the Shambhu border, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher addressed the media following a meeting with Haryana government officials at the protest site, stating, “We have suspended the ‘jattha’ but not the planned march to Delhi on Saturday. Six farmers have been harmed, facing teargas, and considerable damage has occurred.”

Central paramilitary units have been stationed on the Haryana side of the border alongside local police.

Pandher remarked, “Farmers have exhibited discipline. Why treat us with hostility? Why halt our peaceful protests? We are ready to talk with the Centre.”

He further questioned, “Why does the government act towards us as if we are adversaries? We are citizens of this nation and have made significant sacrifices for it.”

On the future direction of the protests, he mentioned, “A group of 101 farmers will head towards Delhi on December 8 at noon. We have set aside tomorrow for discussions with the central government.”

“They have indicated their willingness to converse, so we will wait for tomorrow. We wish to engage in dialogue and not confront the government; our aim is to remain peaceful.”

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

Earlier in the day, security forces deployed over 50 teargas shells to disperse protesters when they attempted to breach barricades erected at the Shambhu border to enter Haryana on their way to Delhi.

Some farmers tried to scale the makeshift barricade, which was heavily guarded by paramilitary and police forces, erected to prevent their advance.

Just before the march was set to commence, mobile internet services and bulk messaging were suspended until December 9 in parts of Ambala district. District authorities also issued orders banning gatherings of five or more individuals, leading to the closure of both government and private educational institutions for the day.

Nevertheless, the first group of 101 farmers dismantled barricades and removed barbed wires, concrete blocks, and iron nails placed just before the barricade shed that was protected by a heavy welded wire mesh.

The protesting farmers initiated their march towards Parliament at 1 p.m. After an altercation lasting two and a half hours, they retreated to their temporary shelters located in Punjab, adjacent to the Shambhu border.

Law enforcement had advised the farmers to turn back, indicating they lacked the necessary permission to proceed.

To avert disturbances, Haryana Police intensified security measures at the Ambala-Delhi border, implementing multilayered barricades at the Shambhu border on National Highway 44 and deploying water cannons.

In a show of support for the farmers, Aman Arora, President of the Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), urged the Central government to address their demands and cautioned against actions that could heighten tensions.

Arora stated, “Farmers from Punjab have resolved to initiate a peaceful march from the Shambhu border towards Delhi. For the past ten months, farmer organizations and their supporters have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, voicing legitimate concerns. The Punjab government has made numerous attempts to mediate and resolve their issues with the Central government, but it appears the Centre is ignoring their struggles.”

He criticized the Haryana government for enforcing prohibitory orders that “now hinder the farmers from carrying out their peaceful march.”

The farmers' previous attempts to march to Delhi on February 13 and 21 were obstructed by heavy security at the Punjab-Haryana border. Since then, farmers, under the banners of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been protesting at these border locations.