Farmers, police clash at Haryana’s Shambhu border, tear gas fired to disperse 14,000 protesters

New Delhi: The farmers intensified their agitation again from Wednesday to convey their demands to the central government. They have given a call of ‘Delhi Chalo’ across the Shambhu border of Punjab-Haryana. Around 14,000 farmers clashed with police on Wednesday morning when they tried to cross the Shambhu border. Paramilitary forces have been deployed. The police are reluctant to allow farmers to cross the border into the capital. Police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters. On the other hand, farmers are turning tractors into ‘makeshift tanks’ and moving towards the border. The central government has repeatedly tried to find a “solution” by holding meetings with the agitators. But despite five meetings, no agreement was reached. The agitating farmer organisations have said they are reluctant to accept the Centre’s proposal. They said the Centre’s proposal was an attempt to “divert attention”. After this, the farmers’ organizations decided to increase the agitation again. They did not have any shortcomings in preparation.

The protesters knew that the police would prevent them from crossing the Shambhu border to enter Delhi. So they have taken a different strategy to deal with that obstacle. The farmers have decided to use the tractors as ‘makeshift tanks’. Iron sheets have been installed there. Farmers are taking shelter behind the tear gas shells fired by the police. At the same time, they are ready to prevent the water cannon of the police. JCB machines have also been brought.