Haryana cops use tear gas, water cannons as farmers try to march to Delhi

A ‘jatha’ of 101 farmers resumed their foot march to Delhi on Saturday from the Shambhu border point to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP).

However, the marching farmers were stopped by the police deployed at the Shambhu border, with Ambala’s Superintendent of Police (SP) telling the farmers that they should get permission from the authorities to match towards Delhi.

“… if you want to go to Delhi, you should get proper permission and once you get the permission, we will allow you to go. There was a hearing in the Supreme Court yesterday… Instructions have been given to hold a meeting… The next date of the meeting is December 18. We appeal to you to sit here peacefully and follow the rules,” Ambala SP said to protesting farmers.

Amidst the ongoing protest, to prevent disruption, internet services in parts of Ambala have been suspended from 6 am on December 14 until December 17.

Earlier in the day, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher questioned the government’s reasoning for preventing 101 farmers from marching on foot, deeming it unjustified. He also reiterated the demand for the government to initiate talks, emphasising the urgency of addressing their grievances to prevent an escalation of the protests.

The farmers’ agitation, which began on February 13 at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders between Punjab and Haryana, is rooted in demands including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops.

The protest gained further urgency after Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a prominent farmer leader, began a fast-unto-death on November 26. His deteriorating health has become a focal point of concern for both protesters and leaders, with reports indicating that he has lost 14 kilograms since his hunger strike began.

On Friday, December 13, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait visited Dallewal at the Khanauri border to show solidarity, calling for the unity of all farmer organisations to press the government for a resolution, news agency PTI reported.

Tikait hinted that this time, instead of surrounding Delhi at its borders as in the previous agitation against the now-repealed farm laws, the farmers might adopt a strategy of encircling the capital from the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) expressway.

The situation escalated earlier when the farmers’ attempts to march towards Delhi were met with tear gas shelling by Haryana police. The clashes resulted in injuries, forcing the protesters to suspend their previous marches. Farmer unions also delayed their foot march due to concerns over Dallewal’s critical health condition.

Addressing questions about the risks posed to Dallewal’s life, Pandher remarked that while no one wants to lose a family member, the farmers are fighting for a resolution to their plight, which has driven many to suicide.

He criticised the government’s alleged indifference to the issues, stating that the protest would continue peacefully but with firm resolve.