Shambhu, Punjab-Haryana border protesting farmers' attempt to march to Delhi was halted yet again on Saturday as Haryana police and Paramilitary forces deployed tear gas shells and water cannons to disperse them. The confrontation had left 22 farmers injured and forced the suspension of the march for the day.
The protest, which had persisted for nearly three hours, saw farmers repeatedly trying to breach the barricades at the border. As the number of injured rose, the leaders of the agitation decided to suspend their march.
Tragedy had struck during the protest when Jodh Singh, a 55-year-old farmer from Rattan Kheri village in Khanna, Punjab, attempted to end his life by consuming poison. Distressed by what farm union leaders had described as “stern police action” against the protestor, Jodh Singh was rushed to Rajindra government hospital in Patiala, where his condition remains critical.
Plans and escalations.
Farmer leader Jgjit Singh Dhallewal has been on fast unto death for the last 21 days to press the center in support of their demands. On December, 15 Punjab Director General of the Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav along with Union Ministry of Home Affairs Mayan Mishra met Jgjit Singh Dhallewal. they enquired about his health and requested him to end his 20-day-long fast. Jagjit Singh Dhllewal is a 70-year-old cancer patient who has been fasting at Khanauri, the border point between Punjab and Haryana, since November 26, in support of their long-pending demands.
The farmers are pressing for a range of demands, including a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the crop, debt waiver, pension for framers, no hikes in electricity traffic, withdrawal of police cases against protestors, and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
On the other hand Farm union leaders under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Mazdoor Morcha had announced a new course of action. A ‘tractor morcha’ will be conducted across states except Punjab on December 16, followed by a ‘rail roko’ protest in Punjab on December 18, scheduled between 12 noon and 3 PM. This marks the third quarter attempt by the farmers to march to Delhi similar incidents on December 6 and December 8. Up till now, 50 protesters were injured all over according to farmer leaders.
Allegation against the police:
- Farmer leader Swaran Singh Pandher had accused the Haryana police of using ‘expired’ tear gas and polluted water from the Ghaggar river in their water cannons. He also alleged the use of rubber bullets and claimed security forces employed long-range acoustic devices to disperse the crowds.
- Another leader, Guramneet Singh Mangat, alleged that a protester, Shukdev Singh Gem Rajpura, lost vision in his right eye after being struck by a rubber bullet and Raj Kumar from Haryana suffered a foot fracture.
Although Haryana police DSP Rajat Gulia had refuted these claims, stating that the use of water cannons was in response to attempting to breach the iron fencing with a hook-and-rope mechanism. Gulia denied the use of chemicals in the water cannons.
While the BJP criticized the farmers' protest, labeling it a political move. Party spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliwal said, “When Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has invited the farmer's leaders for a dialogue, the protest march is merely an attempt to politicize the issue". on the other hand, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait emphasized the importance of unity among farmers, urging them to negotiate collectively with the government. Tikait stated, "I have always told people to remain united during protests. If divided, we become vulnerable. the message is clear- either stand together or stay away from Delhi, the challenges ahead are like facing a 66,000-watt electricity shock." Expressing Dallewal's health he added, "The government must decide the course of action. We stand firmly with the protestors and their cause."
As the agitation continues, tension remains high, with protesters determined to achieve their demands in repeated clashes with security forces. The upcoming ‘rail roko’ protest on December 18 could see further escalations in this ongoing struggle.