Punjab Farmers’ ‘Dilli Chalo’ Protest Suspended After Clashes at Shambhu Border

Patiala: Protesting farmers on Saturday temporarily suspended their ‘Dilli Chalo’ march after a clash with Haryana security personnel at the Shambhu border. The security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protestors, leaving 17-18 farmers injured, according to farmer leaders.

Sarwan Singh Pandher, a leader from Punjab, stated that two farmer organizations, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, jointly decided to call back the group for the day. “Our jatha of 101 farmers is being treated as a law and order threat,” Pandher remarked, questioning the constitutional basis for the action against their peaceful march.

Another leader, Manjit Singh Rai, alleged that rubber bullets were used by the Haryana police, seriously injuring one farmer. Pandher further accused the authorities of deploying chemically mixed water alongside an increased number of teargas shells. However, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ambala Cantt, Rajat Gulia, refuted these claims.

The farmers had resumed their march to Delhi at noon after two previous attempts, on December 6 and December 8, were blocked at the Haryana border. Shortly after commencing the march on Saturday, they were stopped at barricades by Haryana security personnel, leading to the confrontation.

The protesting farmers are demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and have called on the Centre to address their concerns through dialogue. Despite the temporary suspension of the march, leaders have announced that their next course of action will be decided after an internal meeting.

This protest coincides with a parliamentary debate on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution, which, Pandher noted, has failed to raise the voice of farmers in distress.

The farmer groups have vowed to continue pressing their demands and indicated that the agitation will intensify if their issues remain unresolved.