Farmers’ Delhi Chalo March Halted After Tear Gas Clash With Haryana Police

A huge farmers march to Delhi was put on hold on Friday after several injuries were reported as Haryana Police resorted to tear gas shelling. The protesting farmers, spearheaded by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) (SKM-NP), decided to recall a contingent of 101 farmers who had started their march to the capital.

It began as a ‘jatha’ of farmers at the Shambhu border on Friday who set out on foot to march towards Delhi. But it was stopped just a few meters into its journey by a barricade erected by the Haryana Police.

The police resorted to a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which prohibits the farmers from proceeding further. They intended to march ahead in demand for a legal guarantee over the MSP for their crops.

Tear Gas And Injuries Prompts Suspension

As the situation became tense, Haryana Police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to several farmers. In response to these injuries, Sarwan Singh Pandher, a prominent farmer leader, confirmed that the ‘jatha’ would be recalled for the day.

“We have called back the ‘jatha’ for today in view of the injuries suffered by a few farmers,” Pandher said.

When thousands of farmers joined under the aegis of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukt Kisan Morcha, things had started getting heated at the borders. As a response to their protests, the Ambala district administration banned gatherings with five or more people across several villages in Ambala district including Dangdehri, Lohgarh, and Manakpur for which mobile internet and bulk SMS services had been suspended till December 9.

A group of farmers, carrying flags, tried to tear down an iron mesh that security personnel had erected on a bridge over the Ghaggar River. The Haryana government’s security forces were stationed along the route but were behind barricades to protect themselves.

Despite the obstructions, some farmers uprooted the iron mesh and barbed wire. Others even pulled out iron nails from National Highway-44, making a makeshift way. One protester even climbed onto the roof of a tin shelter where security forces were staying, but was forced to come down.

Tensions Escalate As Farmers Demand Legal Guarantee For MSP

The farmers have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana from February 13 since the government had put a stop to their march to Delhi. The protesters continued their fight for a legal guarantee that they will get the minimum support price of their produce.

Sarwan Singh Pandher expressed deep frustration with the Haryana government’s actions, calling the 101 farmers in the ‘jatha’ “marjeevras”—those willing to sacrifice their lives for the cause. He condemned the government’s refusal to allow them to march, even on foot. Pandher further emphasized the moral victory the farmers would achieve if the government continued to block their peaceful march.

He said, “Their leaders at the Centre and in states have been regularly saying that if farmers do not bring tractor-trolleys, there should be no objection. So, if we go to Delhi on foot, there should be no reason to stop us.”

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