Farmers' protest: Haryana Police uses teargas to disperse protesters
Shambhu: Haryana Police fired multiple rounds of teargas shells on Friday to disperse farmers protesting near the multi-layered barricades at Shambhu, on the Punjab-Haryana border.
A group of 101 farmers, known as a 'jatha,' had begun their foot march from the Shambhu protest site towards Delhi, demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. The protesters alleged that teargas was used on them despite their peaceful intentions. Several farmers reportedly sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals.
The Haryana Police cited prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to stop the march. The Ambala district administration had already restricted gatherings of five or more people in the district.
Farmers were seen removing iron nails and barbed wire from the road and covering their faces with wet jute bags to shield themselves from the smoke. Security forces deployed water cannons and erected barricades at the Shambhu border on National Highway 44 to prevent the farmers from proceeding.
The Ambala administration also suspended mobile internet services in 11 villages from December 6 to 9 as a precautionary measure.
Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Chaudhary said the Centre is open to talks with the farmers.
"Our doors are open. If invited, we are ready to meet them," he said, emphasising the government’s commitment to improving farmers' welfare.
The protesting farmers, under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, are demanding legal MSP guarantees, debt waivers, pensions for farmers and laborers, and the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act.
Ambala Superintendent of Police Surinder Singh Bhoria said adequate security measures were in place.
"We have asked the farmers to maintain law and order. They can proceed only if they have permission from Delhi Police," he said.
This is the third attempt by farmers to march to Delhi this year, following earlier thwarted efforts in February. Protests have continued at the Punjab-Haryana border since then.
(Agency inputs)