Police fire tear gas at protesting farmers in Shambhu border

Tensions escalated at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border on Friday as farmers protesting for their demands clashed with police forces. The farmers, who have announced plans to march towards the national capital were met with multiple rounds of tear gas shells as they attempted to remove barricades and barbed wires set up by the police to prevent their movement.

Water cannon vehicles were also deployed at the Shambhu border in case the situation escalated further and some protestors suffered injuries and were hospitalised in ambulances, the protestors told PTI.

Citing a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Haryana Police warned protestors not to proceed further as a 'jatha' of 101 farmers began its march towards Delhi from the Shambhu border.


The farmers, demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops, were stopped by a multi-layered blockade set up by Haryana police.



The farmers, gathered under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 13, 2024, after their earlier attempts to march to Delhi were blocked by security forces.

They are calling for legal assurances on MSP, as well as other demands, including farm debt waivers and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

Farmers Protest: Security beefed up

Haryana police, backed by heavy security forces, stationed behind cemented barricades and iron grills, instructed the farmers to stop, citing a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

The Ambala district administration had imposed restrictions on gatherings of five or more people in the district, and mobile internet and bulk SMS services were suspended in 11 villages until December 9.

Meanwhile, at the Khanauri border, SKM leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal continued his fast-unto-death, protesting against the government's handling of farmers' issues.

(With agency inputs)