Chandigarh: The standoff between farmers from Punjab and security forces intensified on Wednesday as protesters persisted in their ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation despite attempts to deter their advance. At the Shambhu border near Ambala, security personnel resorted to firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowds gathering to resume their march towards the national capital.
With the ‘Delhi Chalo’ movement gaining momentum, farmer leaders convened to strategize their approach before attempting to breach the fortified barricades at the Shambhu border. The influx of farmers from various parts of Punjab swelled the ranks of protesters, with tractor-trolleys lining the national highway on the Punjab side.
In response to the heightened security measures, some farmers prepared their tractors to dismantle the multi-layered barricades while also arranging water tankers to mitigate the impact of tear gas. Equipped with water bottles and damp cloths to counter the effects of the gas, protesters braced themselves for potential confrontations with security forces.
The deployment of protective gear, including body armor and safety goggles, underscored the escalating tensions. Many protesters reported injuries and respiratory distress due to the tear gas unleashed by security personnel on Tuesday.
Voicing their grievances, farmers criticized the government’s prioritization of corporate interests over their own demands, particularly the assurance of a legal minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural produce. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher condemned the use of police force against peaceful demonstrators, urging the government to initiate constructive dialogue.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed concern over the well-being of injured farmers during a visit to a hospital in Rajpura. Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring facilitated a conversation between Gandhi and the farmers, highlighting the escalating tensions at the border.
Amidst the standoff, authorities raised objections to the use of drones by Haryana officials to deploy tear gas shells within Punjab territory, exacerbating the already volatile situation.
Tuesday’s clashes between farmers and police left several injured on both sides, with protesters managing to breach some barricades. Despite the temporary halt in protests, farmer leaders vowed to resume their march towards Delhi from the Shambhu border on Wednesday.
The ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, seeks to pressure the government into addressing key demands, including legislation on MSP and loan waivers. The Haryana government’s decision to extend the suspension of mobile internet services in several districts underscores the gravity of the situation, as tensions continue to simmer along the Punjab-Haryana borders.
