On Saturday, farmers marching to Delhi paused their journey after some were hurt by tear gas used by police in Haryana, near the Punjab border. Sarwan Singh Pandher, a farmer leader from Punjab, informed reporters that their group, called ‘jatha’, had decided to return for the day. He mentioned that around 17 to 18 farmers were injured in the clash, and that some police officers also used rubber bullets, causing serious injuries to one farmer.
Pandher claimed that the police used water mixed with chemicals to push back the farmers, and that they fired more tear gas than before. However, Rajat Gulia, a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Ambala, denied these claims. While the government is discussing the 75th anniversary of the Constitution in Parliament, Pandher pointed out that no one is speaking up for farmers. He questioned why a group of 101 farmers could pose a threat to law and order.
The farmers resumed their walk to Delhi around noon but were halted by barricades set up by the Haryana police. This was their third attempt to enter the capital, having previously tried on December 6 and December 8, but were stopped each time. The farmers, representing the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been staying at Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13 after being blocked by police.
They are demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), along with other requests like debt relief, pensions for farmers and laborers, not increasing electricity rates, dropping police cases, and justice for victims of past violence in Lakhimpur Kheri.
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