Lagatar24 Desk
Ambala: The ongoing farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march faced another setback as tear gas shelling and water cannons deployed by Haryana Police injured eight protesters on Sunday. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher confirmed that one injured farmer was rushed to Chandigarh’s Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) for treatment.
“We have called back the ‘jatha’ (group of 101 farmers),” said Pandher, adding that the farmers’ forums, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, will decide the next course of action after a meeting.
Protest Blocked by Barricades
The ‘jatha’ resumed its march from the Shambhu protest site earlier in the afternoon but was soon halted by multilayered barricades erected by Haryana security personnel. Tear gas shells and water cannons were used to disperse the group, which had dubbed itself ‘marjeevras’ (willing to die for a cause).
Haryana police stated that the farmers could only march to Delhi with permission from the national capital administration. A farmer told PTI, “They said our names were not on the list. When we asked for clarification, they demanded permissions we didn’t have.”
Peaceful Protest Disrupted
Farmer leader Tejveer Singh criticized the Haryana government for obstructing a peaceful protest. “Why were farmers stopped when they were marching on foot peacefully? What objection does Haryana have?” he questioned.
This is the second time in days that farmers have had to suspend their march. On Friday, a similar protest ended abruptly after several farmers were injured during clashes with police.
Demands of the Farmers
The protesting farmers are calling for a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, along with other demands, including justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence and compensation for families of farmers who died during earlier protests.
As the march remains suspended, farmer unions are regrouping to decide their next steps, highlighting ongoing tensions between the protesting groups and the authorities.
