Cops Deploy Tear Gas, Employ Water Cannon As Farmers Restart Delhi March
At least 10 farmers sustained injuries when law enforcement utilized tear gas and water cannons to break up their assembly at the Haryana-Punjab border today. A contingent of 101 farmers recommenced their 'Delhi chalo' foot procession at noon, urging the government to fulfill their requests, which include a legal assurance for the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Congress figure and wrestler, Bajrang Punia, allied with the farmers at the Shambhu border. "On one side, the government claims it is not obstructing the farmers, yet on the other side, they are deploying tear gas and other such measures. It feels like it is the border with Pakistan. When leaders go to Delhi for protests, do they ask for permission?" he stated.
This marks the third effort by the protesting farmers to advance towards the national capital since December 6. Previously, they were denied passage by law enforcement in Haryana on December 6 and December 8. Prior to their intended march today, the Haryana administration halted mobile internet access and bulk SMS services in 12 villages of Ambala until December 17 to curb the spread of false information. The order affects the following villages - Dangdehri, Lehgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Choti Ghel, Lharsa, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar (Hira Nagar, Naresh Vihar), Saddopur, Sultanpur, and Kakru.
In anticipation of the planned march, Haryana's law enforcement set up extensive barricades to obstruct farmers from advancing towards Delhi. The Ambala police had previously stated that the farmers could proceed to Delhi only with permission from the Delhi administration.
