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Farmers break barricades, try to cross Haryana-Punjab border, tear gas fired

Stringent security measures are in place at Delhi’s borders and across the national capital region in anticipation of the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest, which began today after talks with the government over key demands remained “inconclusive”.

Police fired tear gas shells at protesting farmers as they approached Shambhu on the Punjab-Haryana border after beginning their ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest march on Tuesday. Over 200 farmer unions decided to press ahead with the march after a crucial meeting between farmer leaders and Union ministers ended without a resolution late Monday night.

Despite hours of dialogue, the two sides failed to reach an agreement on key demands. The government, however, said a consensus was reached on most issues and a formula was proposed for resolving some others through the formation of a committee.

In anticipation of the farmers’ agitation, the Delhi Police have ramped up security measures, imposing restrictions on gatherings and fortifying borders to maintain order.

Border crossings linking Delhi to its surrounding satellite towns are heavily congested due to numerous diversions ahead of the large-scale farmers’ march towards the national capital. Long lines of vehicles were observed at the Ghazipur and Chilla borders, linking Delhi with Ghaziabad and Noida in Uttar Pradesh.

The Punjab Police allowed protesting farmers to cross the Rajpura bypass as they headed towards Haryana’s Ambala en route to Delhi to press for their demands. However, tensions escalated at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border as protesting farmers attempted to break cement barricades with their tractors.

Police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters. According to visuals shared by news agency ANI, some tear gas shells were deployed using drones.

Speaking about the farmers’ protest, Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda said, “The government is getting information that many people could try to pollute the atmosphere, I urge the farmers to stay careful of such elements.”

Here are the top developments in the farmers’ protest:

  • Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced the decision to march after a five-hour meeting with Union ministers remained inconclusive. “We do not think the government is serious on any of our demands. We do not think they want to fulfil our demands… Had the government offered anything to us, then we could have reconsidered our agitation,” said Pandher.
  • Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, who participated in the talks alongside Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal, conveyed optimism about the talks. Munda indicated that a consensus had been achieved on most issues, with proposals put forth for the resolution of remaining concerns through the formation of a committee. “We are still hopeful that farmer bodies will hold talks,” he said.
  • The Centre agreed to withdraw cases against farmers from the 2020-21 agitation but failed to convince the leaders who demand a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP), news agency PTI reported citing sources. There was an understanding to compensate families of deceased farmers from the previous protests, yet this did not suffice to halt the planned march.
  • Security measures have been ramped up across Delhi and the city’s borders have turned into veritable fortresses. Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora issued an order banning large gatherings until March 12, prohibiting rallies, tractor entry, and carrying of weapons or inflammable items.

 

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/farmers-protest-today-delhi-chalo-security-measures-borders-police-barricades-tractors-traffic-restrictions-haryana-punjab-2501146-2024-02-13

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