IN PICS: Farmers pause foot march to Delhi at Shambhu border as police fire tear gas shells

As the farmers reached the barricades, security forces deployed numerous tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, compelling the protesters to retreat. The protesters, shielding their eyes and mouths, worked quickly to mitigate the effects of the smoke, covering tear gas shells with wet jute bags. Many were seen removing iron nails and barbed wire installed on the road to block their path. (Image: PTI)

Despite chanting “Satnam Waheguru” and carrying their union flags, the farmers faced significant resistance. While they managed to cross the initial layer of barricades, their progress was ultimately halted. According to PTI, some protesters attempted to dismantle the barricades, with a few seen pushing down an iron mesh installed by security personnel on a bridge over the Ghaggar River. One protester climbed onto a tin shade, where security forces were stationed but was forced to climb down. (Image: PTI)

Water cannon vehicles were also stationed at the Shambhu border to deter the march. Additionally, Haryana Police warned the farmers against proceeding further, citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which restricts the assembly of five or more people. (Image: PTI)

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher reported that five to six farmers were injured due to the tear gas shelling. In response, he announced the suspension of the march for the day, explaining that the injured protesters had been taken to a hospital. “We have called back the ‘jatha’ for today in view of the injuries suffered by a few farmers,” PTI quoted Pandher. (Image: PTI)

Pandher also mentioned that two prominent farmer groups, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, would convene to decide the next steps. Earlier, he had referred to the 101 farmers participating in the march as “marjeevras,” meaning those prepared to sacrifice their lives for a cause. He criticised the Haryana government for preventing even a peaceful foot march, emphasising the farmers’ right to protest. (Image: PTI)

The farmers had set out for Delhi to demand a legal guarantee for MSP for crops. Other demands include farm debt waivers, pensions for farmers and agricultural laborers, no hike in electricity tariffs, withdrawal of police cases against farmers, and justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21 were also among their concerns. (Image: PTI)

In anticipation of the farmers’ march, the Haryana government suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 11 villages of Ambala district until December 9. The affected villages included Dangdehri, Lohgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Lhars, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar, Saddopur, Sultanpur, and Kakru. Authorities also ordered the closure of all government and private schools in the district. (Image: PTI)

Pandher asserted that being stopped by the government would symbolise a “moral victory” for the farmers. “Their leaders at the Centre and in states have been regularly saying that if the 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 the farmers,” he said. (Image: PTI)

The farmers have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, following security forces’ actions to block their initial march to Delhi. Despite facing repeated obstacles, they remain determined to secure their demands from the Centre. (Image: PTI)