Farmers’ protest resumes and tensions escalate | Fusion - WeRIndia

The ongoing farmers’ protest witnessed heightened tensions at the Shambhu border between Haryana and Punjab as demonstrators clashed with the police.

Tear gas was used to disperse the protesting farmers as they resumed their march to Delhi.

Here are the top developments in this significant protest:

• March to Delhi Continues: Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha supported several farmers. It includes a group of 101 farmers. These farmers resumed their march towards the capital.
• No Response from Government: Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher stated they had not received any message from the government for discussions, suggesting a lack of willingness for dialogue.
• Heavy Police Presence: The Shambhu border saw substantial deployment of police forces, with barricades and spikes set up to prevent the farmers from advancing.
• Restrictions on Media: Haryana Police urged journalists to maintain a safe distance from the protest sites and restricted media coverage to about 1 km before the Punjab-Haryana border.
• Key Demands: The main demands of farmers include the following: Legal guarantees for Minimum Support Price (MSP), farm debt waivers, pensions, and no increase in electricity tariffs.
• Justice for Victims: Protesters also call for withdrawing police cases against farmers and justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. They seek reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.
• Tear Gas Incident: Farmers halted their march at Shambhu on Friday after the police used tear gas. The tear gas injured at least 16 protesters. One farmer reportedly lost hearing ability due to the shelling.
• Call for Unity: Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait emphasized the need for unity among farmers. He also pointed out that divisions weaken their cause.

The protests highlight the growing unrest among farmers over unmet demands and stalled negotiations.

As the movement intensifies, the call for justice and reforms grows louder.

Image Credit: Harvinder Chandigarh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2020_Indian_farmers%27_protest_16.jpg