Shambhu Border on Friday again witnessed high voltage drama for several hours as the Haryana police managed to foil another attempt of farmers to enter Haryana and launch their Delhi March.
The police used tear gas shells and mild force to disperse the farmers when they were trying to cross barricades and enter Haryana. When several attempts by the farmers were foiled by the police the farmer leaders had to call back the group of 101 farmers who were to launch the Delhi March.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced from the stage that the Marjeevda Jatha (martyr squads) had been recalled. Pandher personally went to escort them back. A decision will now be made after a meeting. All farmers have returned to the stage.
Meanwhile, police continue to fire shells, with more than 26 rounds discharged by the filing of this report. On the other hand, a group of 101 farmers that had reached the barricades at the border has now retreated.
The farmers alleged that the Haryana Police are also firing plastic bullets, injuring four farmers so far as some farmers reportedly sustained injuries.
Also a protesting farmer also climbed onto a shed near the barricades, but police issued warnings and brought him down. Earlier, some farmers climbed iron fences, prompting police to spray them with an irritant that caused burning in their eyes. Meanwhile farmers also accused the police of spraying contained chili. The Haryana Police have urged the farmers not to proceed further, citing a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Few hours before the farmers were set to launch Delhi March, heavy police deployment had been made near Shambhu border as the Haryana government had decided not to allow farmers to enter Haryana. The farmer leaders had announced that the first Jjatha’ (group) of 101 farmers will embark on a foot march to Delhi at 1 pm from their protest site at the Shambhu border on the Punjab and Haryana border.
The Ambala district administration has issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), restricting any unlawful assembly of five or more persons in the district. As per the prohibitory ordered issued by the Ambala deputy commissioner, any procession on foot, vehicles, or other modes will not be allowed in the district.
Also, the Ambala authorities ordered the closure of all government and private schools in the
Farmer leader Sarvan Singh Pandher said that the doors for talks are open from the farmers’ side and if the government wants to talk, the officials should bring the letter of the central government or the CM office of Haryana or Punjab as a proposal to resume talks.Farmers have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points for nearly 10 months, reiterating their demands including guaranteed MSP.