Gathering their resolve, protesting farmers will once again set their course towards Delhi tomorrow, starting from the Shambhu border. The resolve is stronger than ever as farmer leader Sarvan Singh Pandher communicates that this marks the 299th day of their ongoing protest, reaching a milestone of 300 days tomorrow. In a poignant meeting today with injured farmers, Pandher noted the loss of hearing in one due to the turmoil. He reiterated that in a clash with Haryana Police on Friday (December 6), 16 farmers sustained injuries, with the tally potentially rising to about 25 when considering minor injuries.
Today, SKM (non-political) and KMM convened a press briefing at the Shambhu border. In this gathering, Pandher expressed discontent over the absence of communication from the central government. Nonetheless, a determined group of 101 farmers will once again set off for Delhi around noon tomorrow.
Famer leader Pandher voiced that this protest has unmasked the government's true visage. Even without deploying tractors or trollies, the path to Delhi remains blocked for them.
Commenting on the statement by the agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Pandher pointed out that they haven't received compensation for crop damages. Yet, bold claims about MSP are being touted. This state of affairs remains bewilderingly vague and unclear.
Under the call by farmer unions, Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, a 'jatha' of 101 farmers set out towards Delhi from the Shambhu border at 1 PM on Friday, seeking legal guarantees for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) among other demands.
Source: aajtak
Farmers Clash with Haryana Police
During the standoff, Haryana Police advised farmers against advancing further and cited the imposition of Section 163 of the Indian Civil Defense Code (BNSSC) by the Ambala administration, which prohibits illegal gatherings of five or more individuals in the district. Despite attempts to forcefully cross barricades, the farmers were halted. Security forces unleashed several tear gas canisters to disperse the agitated farmers, compelling them to retreat to their protest site at Shambhu in Punjab. One protester even ascended a tin shed roof where security forces were stationed.
Police Use Tear Gas on Farmers
On Friday evening, Sarvan Singh Pandher decried the action of tear gas deployment which resulted in several farmers sustaining injuries, with two reported seriously hurt. He aired accusations against the Haryana government for "excesses against farmers". Among the injured was farm leader Surjit Singh Phul. Injured individuals were assisted into ambulances available at the protest site for transport to medical facilities.
Source: aajtak
Police State No Responsible Figure Seen in 'Jatha'
On their end, Haryana Police remarked that the protesting farmers caused disturbance and attempted to break past police barricades installed at the state border. In the 'jatha', no responsible farmer leader seemed present, with some protesters deemed "violent". The police shared images depicting farmers causing chaos. S.K. Kabiraj, the Inspector General of Police (Ambala range), expressed that elaborate security arrangements were in place in light of the call by Punjab farmers to march to Delhi, with the police department being completely poised to tackle any untoward incidents. The farmer group involved more than 101 individuals, some of whom engaged violently, persistently trying to dismantle police barricades with chains tied to the iron grids, creating disorder. No responsible leader surfaced within this group.
