Key Points:
- Police Action at Shambhu Border: Farmers’ march to Delhi halted as police deployed tear gas and water cannons.
- Nationwide Protests Announced: Tractor marches across states on December 16 and rail blockades in Punjab on December 18 planned by farmer leaders.
- Injuries and Allegations: Multiple farmers injured; allegations of “chemical water” used by security forces.
- Health Concerns: Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Khanauri continues fast unto death despite deteriorating health.
New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events, the march of 101 farmers protesting for their demands, including the implementation of a Minimum Support Price (MSP), faced a forceful halt at the Shambhu border on Saturday. The farmers, determined to proceed toward Delhi, encountered heavy police resistance, with personnel resorting to tear gas and water cannons. The confrontation left several farmers injured and forced organizers to postpone the “Delhi Chalo” march.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher condemned the actions of the police, alleging that chemical-laden water was used during the crackdown. He remarked, “The whole world witnessed how the world’s fifth-largest economy deployed force against peaceful farmers in the biting cold.”
Nationwide Protests Announced
Despite the setback, Pandher has announced a series of nationwide protests. A tractor march is scheduled for December 16 across all states except Punjab. Additionally, a massive rail blockade is planned in Punjab on December 18, from 12 noon to 3 pm.
Pandher called upon Punjabis to participate in large numbers, saying, “We appeal to all sections to rise. It’s a challenge for the 3 crore Punjabis to jam the railways wherever there are platforms and railway gates.”
Injuries and Fasting Farmer Leader
Pandher revealed that 17-18 farmers were injured during the clash with Haryana security personnel. Meanwhile, Jagjit Singh Khanauri, a key leader from the United Kisan Morcha (non-political), continues his fast unto death at the border. His deteriorating health has raised concerns, with Pandher highlighting his plight as a symbol of the government’s neglect of farmers’ issues.
Allegations Against Security Forces
The farmer leader accused security personnel of targeting their stage and fields with tear gas and chemical water, stating that these actions reflect a blatant suppression of the voices of India’s agricultural community. “Fifty percent of the country is associated with farming. Their voice cannot be silenced,” Pandher emphasized.
The farmers’ demands and the government’s response have once again spotlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding agricultural reforms in India. As the protests intensify, the nation awaits the next move in this escalating standoff.
