Farmers try to cross Haryana barriers, hit by tear gas shells, rubber bullets, water cannon at Shambhu border in Ambala | India News – Times of India

Farmers try to cross Haryana barriers, hit by tear gas shells, rubber bullets, water cannon at Shambhu border in Ambala | India News – Times of India

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Large number of farmers injured on Punjab side, 10 Haryana cops also injured
AMBALA: The Haryana police and rapid action force fired a large number tear gas shells, rubber bullets and used water cannons to stop the protesting farmers from marching to Delhi at Shambhu border on Tuesday.
The farmers who came from the Punjab side tried to cross the barricades laid on Ghaggar river bridge by blocking the National Highway (NH) 44 by Haryana police, but they were hit by intensive tear gas shelling and rubber bullets.The police also used drones to throw the tear gas shells to disperse the protestors besides video recording the protest.
Number of farmers got injured due to police action and during the protest at Shambhu border. Ten policemen including personnel of rapid action force and a DSP rank officer were also injured in the incidents. Two journalists, Satender Chauhan of a national channel and Neil Bhalinder Singh of Punjab based channel were also hit in the head during the police action, who bled and received injuries. One youth received serious hand injury, when he tried to throw a tear gas shell away which blasted in his hand.
The injured farmers went for treatment to government hospitals in Patiala district. The injured Haryana cops were treated at the civil hospital in Ambala city.
A small group of Haryana farmers raising slogans against the government also tried to reach Shambhu border from Ambala side but they were detained by the police.
Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha had given this call for February 13, mainly for demands like law guaranteeing minimum support price (MSP) for crops, loan waiver, withdrawal of cases registered during last protest at Delhi, action against accused ministers in Lakhimpur Kheri case and others.
The farmers were led by farm leaders including Sarvan Singh Pandher, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Manjit Singh Rai, Surjit Singh Phul, Amarjit Singh Mohri, Tejveer Singh, and others.
The protesting farmers reached Shambhu border in the afternoon, started using tractors to break the barricades laid by Haryana police amid heavy tear gas shelling and rubber bullets being fired. To tackle the fired tear gas shell, the farmers kept the water tanks at the Shambhu border and used them to defuse and reduce effect by covering the shell with wet jute sacks. As the fired shell landed on the ground, the youths rushed to it to cover it with sacks.
Farmers broke the first layer of barricading by removing heavy concrete blocks one by one by toeing them with the help of tractors. The farmers also removed the first layer of iron spikes laid by police on NH. On day one of the protest at Shambhu, the farmers only managed to break this first layer of barricading by Haryana police while the rest of the layers stood their ground with heavy force protection. Still about four layers of police barricading of concrete blocks, barbed wires and iron barricades are intact on the NH-44.
After breaking the first layer, the farmers and youth also tried to break the other layer but they had to face serious shelling being close in the range as targets for police.
Haryana police were strongly prepared to ensure that no farmer crossed over to the state side. A large number of farmers also tried to cross over through agriculture fields but the police continued to fire tear gas and rubber bullets besides manning the area. The police were also deputed underneath the Ghaggar river bridge. A policeman was also caught on camera firing with pistol at the tires of a tractor parked by protestors near the first layer of barrier on Ghaggar bridge.
The entire operation by Haryana police was led and observed by Ambala deputy commissioner Dr Shaleen, IGP Ambala range Sibas Kabiraj and SSP Ambala Jashandeep Singh Randhawa, who remained at the spot for the entire day. A control room was formed near Shambhu border, where the administration kept a close eye on the protestors with the help of drone cameras.
The farmer leaders condemned the police action and said that they should be allowed to proceed to Delhi as their protest is peaceful.
“Action by the Haryana government is highly condemnable and it is black day for the country. The type of tear gas shells and size of rubber bullets being used by Haryana police, are not used on farmers. The atmosphere created by the government is not of holding talks. We are seeing the situation move forward. There should be a ceasefire from both sides and we will see tomorrow”, said Sarvan Singh Pandher, President Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee at Shambhu border.
Jagjit Singh Dallewal, President of BKU Ekta, who was also at Shambhu said, “It is our history that Jaiba Baan Lageo Tabai Ros Jageo (as a hit is received, resentment awakes). The Gurus have taught us to sacrifice. Farmers have accepted the challenge of the government by uprooting the barricades. We have maintained peace and never run away from dialogue. Our effort is to fight peacefully.”
BKU Charuni national president Gurnam Singh Charuni said, “We support MSP demand of farmers. MSP should be given but the call should have been given by making a strategy in consideration of all farmer unions of the country. Government and administration should not use force on farmers.”
All India Kisan Congress chairman, Sukhpal Singh Khaira also participated in the farmers’ protest at Shambhu. Khaira said, “I urge Bhagwant Mann (Punjab CM) to register FIR against Haryana police officers responsible for throwing tear gas shells through drones upon #FarmersProtest2024 and firing rubber bullets injuring many including journalist Neel Bhalinder Singh apart from intruding into Punjab territory because this amounts to attack on our autonomy. It is a test for the Aam Aadmi Party whether it stands with the people and farmers of Punjab or with BJP.”
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Haryana home minister Anil Vij appealed to farmers to withdraw their call/march and engage in dialogue.
“Centre government is talking to farmers after coming from Delhi to here and two rounds of talks have been held with Union ministers. And they are ready to hold further talks also. But still, they are adamant on going to Delhi. It is non understandable why they want to go to Delhi. It appears as if they have some other motive”, said Anil Vij.
“We are fully prepared and we will not let them disturb peace. They should withdraw their call and the government is still ready to hold talks. The solution will be found through dialogue and not by attacking Delhi or Haryana. It is for the first time the government has itself come from Delhi to here and to whom do they want to make their voice heard after going to Delhi”, said Anil Vij.



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