MOHALI/BATHINDA/AMBALA: Thousands of farmers, riding a caravan of tractor-trailers, water tankers, trucks, SUVs, and bulldozers from Punjab, surged towards neighbouring Haryana and clashed fiercely with security forces amidst a tense standoff Tuesday as they attempted to march towards New Delhi.
About 10,000 protesters gathered at each of the border points in Shambhu and Khanauri between the two states, where Haryana govt’s six-layered reinforced concrete barricades, tear gas shells, water cannons, and rubber bullets formed a formidable barrier.
Authorities are determined to prevent a repeat of the 2020-21 protests, where farmers camped outside New Delhi for over a year, enduring harsh weather conditions and a surge in Covid cases. On Tuesday, the protesters couldn’t progress beyond Shambhu, a village in Patiala district, and Khanauri town in Sangrur district of Punjab along the border with Haryana. However, at Shambhu, farmers managed to breach two layers of barricades by using tractors and bulldozers to remove concrete barricades, throwing some into Ghaggar river.
Right to express snatched from farmers: Protester
The confrontation followed unsuccessful talks between Centre and farmer leaders on Monday night, prompting Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) to mobilise their supporters for the “Delhi Chalo” protest. Their demands include a new law guaranteeing minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
BKU Ekta Sidhupur’s Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarvan Singh Pandher of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) accused Union govt of orchestrating a violent crackdown on farmers. They cited injuries to 60 farmers during the seven-hour onslaught of tear gas and rubber bullets. Amidst the chaos, some claimed Haryana police fired bullets at tractor tyres, further inflaming tensions.
“In a democracy, everyone has the right to express their views, but that right has been snatched from farmers,” said a protester, while others displayed bullet shells and shouted slogans. Injured farmers were treated at govt hospitals in Patiala district.
Haryana police said 24 personnel, including Rapid Action Force jawans and a DSP-rank officer, along with two journalists, were wounded at Shambhu and Data Singhwala border points. Police blamed farmers for violating restrictions, attacking cops with stones, and breaching barricades. Haryana extended its ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts till Thursday midnight. Despite the clashes, Pandher emphasised the farmers’ peaceful intentions and expressed openness to dialogue. “In the history of India, today is a black day. It is shameful the way Modi govt attacked farmers and farm labourers,” Pandher said.
The day’s events were deemed a victory by protesters, who urged Punjab govt to protest Haryana’s use of force. As dusk settled, farmers, battered yet resolute, paused their march, vowing to resume their fight another day. “It is evening now. There should be a ceasefire from both sides. Tomorrow we will see again,” Pandher said, while protesters camped at sites inside Punjab.
About 10,000 protesters gathered at each of the border points in Shambhu and Khanauri between the two states, where Haryana govt’s six-layered reinforced concrete barricades, tear gas shells, water cannons, and rubber bullets formed a formidable barrier.
Authorities are determined to prevent a repeat of the 2020-21 protests, where farmers camped outside New Delhi for over a year, enduring harsh weather conditions and a surge in Covid cases. On Tuesday, the protesters couldn’t progress beyond Shambhu, a village in Patiala district, and Khanauri town in Sangrur district of Punjab along the border with Haryana. However, at Shambhu, farmers managed to breach two layers of barricades by using tractors and bulldozers to remove concrete barricades, throwing some into Ghaggar river.
Right to express snatched from farmers: Protester
The confrontation followed unsuccessful talks between Centre and farmer leaders on Monday night, prompting Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) to mobilise their supporters for the “Delhi Chalo” protest. Their demands include a new law guaranteeing minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
BKU Ekta Sidhupur’s Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarvan Singh Pandher of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) accused Union govt of orchestrating a violent crackdown on farmers. They cited injuries to 60 farmers during the seven-hour onslaught of tear gas and rubber bullets. Amidst the chaos, some claimed Haryana police fired bullets at tractor tyres, further inflaming tensions.
“In a democracy, everyone has the right to express their views, but that right has been snatched from farmers,” said a protester, while others displayed bullet shells and shouted slogans. Injured farmers were treated at govt hospitals in Patiala district.
Haryana police said 24 personnel, including Rapid Action Force jawans and a DSP-rank officer, along with two journalists, were wounded at Shambhu and Data Singhwala border points. Police blamed farmers for violating restrictions, attacking cops with stones, and breaching barricades. Haryana extended its ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts till Thursday midnight. Despite the clashes, Pandher emphasised the farmers’ peaceful intentions and expressed openness to dialogue. “In the history of India, today is a black day. It is shameful the way Modi govt attacked farmers and farm labourers,” Pandher said.
The day’s events were deemed a victory by protesters, who urged Punjab govt to protest Haryana’s use of force. As dusk settled, farmers, battered yet resolute, paused their march, vowing to resume their fight another day. “It is evening now. There should be a ceasefire from both sides. Tomorrow we will see again,” Pandher said, while protesters camped at sites inside Punjab.
