Farmers suspend march to Delhi for the day, claim 17 protesters injured in tear gas shelling
Farmer leader from Punjab Sarwan Singh Pandher claimed that about 17-18 farmers sustained injuries during the Haryana security personnel action.
Protesting farmers on Saturday suspended their foot march to Delhi for the day after some of them suffered injuries in tear gas shelling by Haryana security personnel along the state's border with Punjab, PTI reported.
Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told reporters that two forums have decided to return back. He also claimed that about 17-18 farmers sustained injuries during the Haryana security personnel action.
Farmer leader Manjit Singh Rai alleged that rubber bullets were also used by security personnel and that one farmer sustained serious injuries.
“Both the forums have decided to call back the “jatha” for today and the next course of action will be taken after a meeting," Rai was quoted as saying by PTI.
Earlier today, Haryana security personnel fired tear gas shells and deployed water cannons to disperse a group of 101 farmers who were attempting to march towards Delhi from the Shambhu border. They were stopped at the barricades set up by Haryana security personnel.
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Pandher has alleged that the police used a “chemical mixed water” to disperse the farmers and used "more teargas shells this time". Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ambala Cantt, Rajat Gulia, however, refuted the allegation, according to PTI.
Pandher also said while the debate is going on in Parliament on the 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution, no one is listening to the voice of farmers.
“No one is raising the voice for farmers in Parliament...over here we want to know which Constitution applies to our protest. How can a jatha of 101 farmers pose a threat to the country's law and order?” he asked.
What are the farmers demanding
Farmers have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.
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Besides a legal guarantee to MSP for crops, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases, and “justice” for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
It was the third attempt by protesting farmers to march towards the national capital. Farmers had earlier made two attempts on December 6 and December 8 but were not allowed to proceed by security personnel in Haryana.
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