Farmers suspend ‘Delhi Chalo’ march at Shambhu border after protesters suffer injuries in police action

Farmers protesting under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have suspended their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march after several of them suffered injuries in Haryana police’s riot control measures at the Shambhu border. Leaders of organisations said they will discuss and decide further course of action.

As many as 101 farmers started a ‘jatha’ to the national capital on Friday from the Shambhu border seeking legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price and various other demands. However, Haryana police imposed prohibitory orders in the border villages of Ambala and deployed multi-layered security in the area.

Though the farmers tried to break barricades and proceed further, they were stopped by Haryana police. A few farmers holding their unions' flags pushed the iron mesh put up by the security personnel down the bridge constructed over the Ghaggar river. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the farmers. The leaders later decided to suspend the march after over five farmers suffered injuries.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, “We have called back the 'jatha' for today in view of the injuries suffered by a few farmers. Police will not let us go [to Delhi]. Farmer leaders have got injured, we will hold a meeting to decide the future strategy,” ANI reported.

The Ambala district administration has imposed prohibitory orders to prevent farmers’ march. The administration has also suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services as a precautionary measure in 11 villages along the border. The services have been suspended till December 9.