Following clashes with police at the Punjab-Haryana border, leading to injuries for some farmers, the protesters postponed their march to Delhi until Saturday. The police fired tear gas shells to stop them. Under the call of farmer unions, the Non-Political United Farmers' Front and Farmers Workers' Front, a group of 101 farmers began a march to Delhi at 1 PM from Shambhu Border, pressing for legal guarantees on the minimum support price (MSP) among other demands.
Farmers are also pressing the central government for talks to address their concerns. Haryana Police blocked the farmers a few meters from the protest site with barricades. Water cannon vehicles were also stationed at Shambhu Border. Police cited prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Indian Civil Defense Code by the Ambala administration, which restricts gatherings of five or more people in the district. Farmers attempted to push forward by removing the barricades but were held back by officers.
Also Read: Farmers Retreat at Shambhu Border, Offer Proposal for Talks to Government... Prepared to March to Delhi Again on Sunday
Farmers' Clever Trick to Evade Tear Gas
Police released tear gas shells to disperse the protesting farmers and compel them to return to their Shambhu protest site. Notably, the farmers' base camp is within the Punjab region. The farmers ingeniously used wet jute sacks to cover the tear gas shells, protecting themselves from the smoke. Several farmers were observed uprooting iron spikes and barbed wires placed by police on the road. Chanting 'Satnam Waheguru' and holding their organization's flags, many farmers in the group easily crossed the initial layer of barricades but could go no further.
Several were seen pushing iron fences under the bridge on the Ghaggar River, installed by security personnel. One protester climbed onto the tin-roofed shelter with security forces stationed above. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher held a press conference Friday evening after a daylong standoff with the police. He reported that at least eight farmers were injured by tear gas, two of whom were seriously hurt. He criticized the Haryana government for excessive force against the farmers. Among the injured is farmer leader Surjit Singh Phool. Leaders stated that the injured were taken to a hospital using ambulances present at the protest site.
Farmers Attempt to Break Through Police Barricades
Haryana Police said the protesting farmers created chaos and tried to break through the barricades. No responsible farmer leader was seen in the marching group determined for Delhi, and some farmers exhibited violent behavior. The police shared photos showing the chaos caused by the farmers. IG of Ambala Range, Sibash Kabiraj, stated that comprehensive security measures have been implemented at the border due to calls by Punjab farmers to march on Delhi. The police are fully prepared for any unpleasant incident.
Also Read: 'Bring a Bill on MSP in Current Session,' Congress Demands Regarding Farmers' Movement
The Haryana Police issued a statement indicating the group comprised over 101 farmers, some of whom were violent. They repeatedly attempted to break police chains and create disorder. There was no visible responsible farmer leader in the group marching to Delhi. The police exercised restraint, repeatedly urging the farmers to stop and not disturb law and order. Lawful action was taken by the police to maintain order, with warnings that legal action would follow for anyone disrespecting the law.
Center Turns Shambhu Border into Pakistan-China Border
IG of Ambala Range, Sibash Kabiraj, said farmer organizations should first seek permission from the Delhi administration and then show the Ambala administration before proceeding for their march to Delhi. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher referred to the 101 farmers in the group as 'Martyrs' (willing to die for a cause) during his interaction with journalists. Pandher declared, 'Considering injuries to some farmers, we have brought the group back for today. We urge the government to either engage in dialogue or let us proceed to Delhi. They are treating us as enemies of another country. Punjabis and farmers have made the greatest sacrifices for our nation. This place (Shambhu Border) has been turned into a border like Pakistan or China.'
When asked about the farmers' next steps, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher stated, 'The group will now head to Delhi on Sunday. If a proposal for talks comes from the center, we will wait until tomorrow. It's up to the center if they wish to engage in dialogue; we are open to talks. We desire no confrontation with the center and aim to keep our 'Delhi Chalo' program peaceful.' Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini remarked to reporters that the BJP government has taken unprecedented steps for farmers' welfare. 'We are purchasing 100% of the farmers' crops at MSP.'
Also Read: A Group of 101 Farmers, Union Flags in Hand, Sharp Exchanges with Police... Eye-Witness Account from Shambhu Border
The Right to Express Peacefully in Democracy
Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda stated that in a democracy, everyone has the right to move freely and express themselves peacefully. However, the BJP government wants to deny these rights to farmers. The Congress leader noted, 'Farmers agreed to travel to Delhi without tractors and trollies, in line with government requests. Stopping them now is entirely undemocratic.' Haryana's additional chief secretary (home) Sumita Mishra announced that prohibitory orders under section 163 have been enforced in four other districts besides Ambala to prevent any untoward incidents.
Adequate arrangements were made to maintain law and order at the Haryana-Punjab border at Shambhu and Khanauri. Just before the farmers' march, the Haryana government suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 11 villages across Ambala district until December 9. Sumita Mishra indicated that the Punjab government was notified, highlighting 17-18 villages where suspending mobile internet services was recommended. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend an event in Panipat on December 9.
Why the Objection to Our March Now: Pandher
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher criticized the center for halting the farmers' march while speaking to journalists. 'Force was used against us. Did you see any weapons with us? We were aware of the arrangements made by the center, including paramilitary deployment, drones, and logistics. We knew we couldn't proceed. We aimed to showcase to the country and the world that central ministers and BJP leaders had previously objected to farmers marching with tractors and trollies, yet farmers could come to Delhi without them. Now, as we march on foot, what is the objection, and why weren't we granted permission?'
Also Read: Farmers' Ultimatum to Government, Agriculture Minister Should Meet... Or Else, Sunday Will See Another March to Delhi
'I stated yesterday that if the marching group is halted while peacefully walking, it will be a moral victory for the farmers,' Pandher commented. Farmers handed a charter with their demands to Ambala officials who assured them of forwarding it. Farmers will now question Punjab's BJP leaders regarding the behavior of the center. They had also attempted marches toward Delhi on February 13 and 21 this year, only to be halted by deployed forces at the border.
Aside from demanding MSP, farmers want agricultural loan forgiveness, pensions for farmers and farmworkers, no hike in electricity rates, withdrawal of police cases (against farmers), and justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Restoring the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 and compensating families of farmers who died during last year's protests are also among their demands.
