The farmers' protest became violent when police used tear gas to disperse them. The farmers appeared well-equipped today, wearing masks, gloves, and safety suits to shield themselves from the shelling.
The farmers' protest, which resumed on Wednesday after a two-day pause, has again been halted by the farmers after a protester was killed and about 12 police personnel were injured in clashes at Khanauri, one of the two protest sites on the Punjab-Haryana border.
A farmer, identified as Subhkaran Singh (21), reportedly died near the Khanauri border from a head injury.
“We condemn the atrocities carried out by Haryana Police on protesting farmers at Khanauri and Shambhu borders. Many of our farmers have suffered injuries and several are missing,” Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee head Sarwan Singh Pandher said during a press conference on the scuffle between protesting farmers and Haryana Police.
He added: “In view of the situation, we have decided to halt our ‘Delhi Chalo’ march for the next two days. In these two days, we will meet the families of injured and missing farmers and will decide on our future course of action.”
On Wednesday, visuals from the Shambhu border showed thousands of farmers getting ready to break through barriers using bulldozers and earthmovers. Police fired tear gas as the protesters tried to move forward. This time, farmers appeared better equipped, wearing masks, gloves, and safety suits to shield themselves from the tear gas.
On the other hand, Haryana Police alleged that the farmer protesters surrounded the police from all sides by pouring chilli powder in the stubble, attacked the policemen using sticks and maces along with stone pelting at Khanauri border.
“Around 12 policemen were seriously injured. Appeal to the protesters for peace,” the police added.
Farmer leaders on Wednesday put the 'Delhi Chalo' march on hold for two days after a protester was killed and about 12 police personnel were injured in clashes at Khanauri, one of the two protest sites on the Punjab-Haryana border.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that they will decide the next course of action on Friday evening.
Farmers at Khanauri and Shambhu borders between Punjab and Haryana had resumed their agitation early in the morning after a two-day halt following the fourth round of talks on Sunday night with a panel of three Union ministers in an attempt to break the deadlock.
While the farmers resumed their protest after rejecting Centre's proposal, the central government extended an offer for another round of talks on Wednesday.
Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda again on Wednesday proposed to have dialogue with farmers to arrive at solution peacefully. Centre and farmers have held four rounds of talks over the demands by farmers.
After the last round of talks with the central government, farmers rejected Centre's proposal of procuring pulses, maize and cotton at MSP by government agencies for five years, saying it was not in their favour.
On being asked if they have received any invitation for a meeting with the government representatives, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "We will confirm soon... We will think of the talks after a discussion..."
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said that they will decide their future course of action in a meeting of SKM tomorrow. The SKM, of which BKU is a part, has not yet joined the Delhi Chalo protest march which has been called by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.
"We are protesting infront of DM office over issues such as MSP guarantee law and others. We will decide our future course of action in SKM's meeting tomorrow," Tikait said.
Samyukt Kisan Morcha and Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), which spearheaded the 2020 protest, are not at the forefront in this protest.