The farmer protests in North India took another dramatic turn on Sunday as clashes erupted between agitating farmers and Haryana police at the Shambhu border. The confrontation disrupted the peaceful march organized to demand a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other pressing issues. The incident, which marked the 300th day of ongoing demonstrations, saw both tense exchanges and unexpected gestures from authorities.
From Hospitality to Hostility: A Day of Contrasts
The march began with 101 farmers, under banners like the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, resuming their foot march toward Delhi. In a surprising move, Haryana police welcomed the protesters with tea, biscuits, and flower showers. However, this brief cordiality quickly soured when the farmers attempted to cross barricades.
Authorities responded with tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. Farmer leader Baldev Singh Zira denounced the police’s actions, stating, “Along with tea and biscuits, they fired tear gas shells. This exposes their duplicity.”
Clashes Result in Injuries and Accusations
The escalation left several farmers injured, including Resham Singh, who was hospitalized at PGIMER in Chandigarh. Others, like Dilbagh Singh and Harbhajan Singh, also sustained injuries.
Farmer leader Tejveer Singh expressed frustration, questioning why peaceful farmers were met with such hostility, while Sarwan Singh Pandher condemned the administration’s tactics, saying, “The whole country witnessed how tear gas and bullets were used against us.”
Restrictions on Media Coverage
Adding to the tension, media personnel were reportedly barred from approaching the protest site. Haryana police, citing safety concerns, restricted access, keeping journalists at least a kilometer away. Critics have argued that this move aimed to control the narrative and downplay the severity of the clashes.
Key Farmer Demands
The protests are centered on multiple demands, including:
- Legal guarantees for MSP.
- Pension schemes for farmers and farm laborers.
- A comprehensive farm debt waiver.
- Justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
- Withdrawal of police cases against farmers and the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.
- Compensation for families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 protests.
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has continued his hunger strike at the Khanauri border, now entering its 13th day. Reports indicate that Dallewal has lost eight kilograms, underscoring the urgency of their grievances.
Authorities Escalate Measures
Haryana authorities, citing public safety, enforced prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), banning assemblies of more than five people. To further curtail the spread of information, mobile internet and SMS services were suspended in 11 villages in Ambala until December 9.
Farmers’ Next Move
The clash at the Shambhu border follows similar incidents earlier this year, as farmers attempted marches toward Delhi in February. After Sunday’s confrontation, protest leaders announced a halt to the march and plan to decide their next steps during a meeting scheduled for Monday.
A Growing Divide
The events reflect the deepening rift between authorities and the farming community. While the government cites law and order concerns, farmers argue that their peaceful protests are met with disproportionate force, fueling resentment and mistrust.
This latest incident underscores the enduring challenges in addressing farmers’ grievances and the broader implications for India’s agricultural policies and rural welfare.
Sidenote: This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.
