Tear gas fired at farmers protesting at Shambhu border over disputed list, march to Delhi resumes

On Sunday, a group of 101 farmers resumed their march to Delhi from the Shambhu border, located at the Punjab-Haryana border, to continue their protest for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other agricultural demands. The farmers had been camped at the site since February after their initial attempt to march to Delhi was thwarted by security forces. This new attempt was met with strong resistance from Haryana Police, who fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.

The confrontation began when the farmers moved closer to the multi-layered barricades that had been set up by the police to prevent their progress. The Haryana Police, who were monitoring the situation, stated that the group of farmers trying to move forward was not on the approved list of 101 individuals who had permission to pass through the barricades. A police officer deployed at the site explained that the protesters were refusing to cooperate with the identification process and were acting in a disorganized manner, making it difficult for the police to verify the individuals involved.

In response, the farmers denied the police’s claim of a pre-approved list, stating that they were not provided any list and were demanding the opportunity to proceed towards Delhi. One of the protesting farmers mentioned that they would present their identity cards once they were allowed to move forward, but they refused to provide their details without confirmation that they would be permitted to continue. The disagreement over the list and identity verification process led to heightened tensions at the border.

As the situation escalated, Haryana Police resorted to using tear gas to disperse the farmers. The tear gas forced some of the protesters to retreat temporarily, though many continued to regroup and hold their ground. Some protesters, wearing protective eyewear and face coverings to shield themselves from the tear gas, remained determined to proceed with their march.

The farmers are continuing to demand a legal guarantee for MSP, a key issue that has been central to their protests for nearly three years. They are also seeking resolutions to various other agricultural issues. Despite several attempts to engage with the government, farmer leaders claim that there has been no formal communication from the central government to discuss their concerns.

In addition to the clash at the Shambhu border, security arrangements have been tightened across other strategic locations. At the Khanauri border, further security measures have been implemented, including the sealing of the area and the deployment of additional police contingents. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Indian Penal Code have been enforced at the border, preventing the gathering of more than five individuals at any time. Police have also deployed additional forces to maintain control and prevent any attempts by farmers to breach the barricades and continue their march towards Delhi. Despite these measures, the farmers remain adamant in their demand for talks with the government.