Delhi Chalo Farmers Protest Suspends For 2 Days, Police Claim Stubble Burning With Chilli Powder

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher stated that discussions will be held regarding the incident that occurred in Khanauri. A two-day halt on the march towards Delhi has been decided upon by us.

The entire situation will be clarified later in terms of what further movement will be undertaken by us.

Photo Credit: PTI

Police Claim Stubble Burning With Chilli Powder

Tension escalated at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points as tear gas shells were fired by Haryana Police to disperse protesting farmers attempting to advance towards barricades.

Protesters who tried to move towards the multiple layers of barricades at the Shambhu border point near Ambala in Haryana were dispersed by tear gas shells fired by police. By afternoon, at least three rounds of tear gas shelling had been conducted.

Drones were also utilized by security personnel to release tear gas shells targeting the protesters at the Shambhu border.

In response to the situation, it was claimed by Haryana Police that the protesting farmers had surrounded the security personnel deployed at the Datta Singh-Khanauri border, igniting stubble mixed with chilli powder. It was further stated that 12 security personnel sustained serious injuries in the incident.

Haryana Police stated, "At the Data Singh-Khanori border, the police personnel were surrounded by the protesters from all sides, and stubble mixed with chilli powder was burned by them. The police were also attacked using sticks and maces, in addition to being pelted with stones. Approximately 12 policemen sustained serious injuries. An appeal is made to the protesters for peace."

The recent round of stand-off between farmers and police ensued shortly after the 'Delhi Chalo' march, initiated by various farmers' groups on February 13 to advocate for their demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops and farm debt.

At the protest sites, significant earthmoving machinery such as excavators and customised tractors was observed, prompting warnings from the police regarding concerns that these vehicles might be utilized to breach barricades and pose a threat to security personnel.

Meanwhile, appeals have been made by the Centre to the protesting farmers to uphold peace and seek resolution through dialogue.

Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, one of the three Union ministers engaged in discussions with the farmers' leaders, extended an invitation to the leaders for a fifth round of talks addressing all issues, including those of minimum support price (MSP).