Farmers' ‘Dilli Chalo’ Protest Confronted By Police Action At Punjab-Haryana Border, Tear Gas Used Again

Published: Sunday, December 8, 2024, 14:04 [IST]

Two days after pausing their 'Dilli Chalo' (March to Delhi) agitation, farmers resumed their protest on Sunday, attempting to enter Delhi from the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana to demand a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other concessions, including loan waivers.

Protesters were halted within a few kilometres of their starting point, encountering tear gas fired by police.

Photo Credit: PTI

Tear gas being used to disperse protesting farmers at Shambhu Border during their foot march towards Delhi, in Patiala district, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. A group of 101 farmers resumed their foot march to Delhi shortly after 12 noon on Sunday from the Shambhu protest site on the Punjab-Haryana border to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).

On Friday, December 6, a group of 101 farmers, identified as a "jatha" of "marjeevras" (those willing to die for a cause), had attempted a similar march but were stopped near the border by heavy police barricades. The march was called off after several protesters were injured due to police action.

Farmer leaders have vowed to resume their march on December 8 if the central government fails to initiate talks by December 7.

Speaking at the Shambhu border, leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "We will wait till tomorrow for talks with the government; otherwise, a 'jatha' of 101 farmers will march towards Delhi on December 8 at 12 noon."

Key Points:

Demands: Farmers demand a legal MSP guarantee, loan waivers, pensions for farmers and labourers, reversal of electricity tariff hikes, withdrawal of police cases, and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

Clashes and Injuries: Protesters were stopped by Haryana Police on Sunday. Tear gas shells injured 5-6 farmers, prompting the suspension of Sunday's march.

Security Measures: Delhi Police have fortified the Shambhu border with barricades and spikes. Haryana has suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 11 villages of Ambala district till December 9.

Previous Efforts: Farmers have camped at border points since February 13 after earlier attempts to march were blocked by security forces.

The farmers, under the banners of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, maintain that their demands are non-negotiable, reaffirming their resolve to reach Delhi unless meaningful talks take place.

Published On December 8, 2024