A group of farmers from Punjab faced a standoff with the Haryana police on Sunday as they attempted to resume their march to Delhi, demanding a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The police, reinforcing barricades at the Shambhu border, used tear gas and pepper spray in an effort to block the farmers’ advance into Haryana.
The authorities deployed multiple layers of barricades and used batons to prevent the protesters from moving forward. Tear gas was fired at regular intervals, with pepper spray used on individual farmers attempting to cross the barricades. Despite these tactics, the farmers remained determined and had come prepared, wearing protective eyewear and covering their faces to shield against the tear gas. Some farmers were even seen using wet jute bags to neutralize the effects of the tear gas shells.
The farmers, part of a group of 101 from Punjab, had been camping at the Shambhu border since February after their earlier attempt to march to Delhi was halted. The renewed march is aimed at pressing for several demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP.
When the farmers attempted to proceed, the police requested they show written permission for the march. However, confusion arose when the police claimed the group did not match the list of 101 authorized participants. “We will first identify them before allowing them to proceed. The group moving ahead does not correspond to the approved list. They are not letting us identify them and are advancing as a mob,” a Haryana police official stated.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher responded, “The list of 101 farmers and workers has already been issued. If the police want to verify our IDs first, we are willing to cooperate. We’ve shown discipline and will continue to do so. They’re using more tear gas today due to the wind direction, but we are prepared for any sacrifice. The solution to our issues lies with the Prime Minister—either he addresses them, or we will march to Delhi.”
the standoff continues, the farmers remain firm in their resolve, demanding a resolution to their long-standing issues with the government. The situation at the Shambhu border is tense, with the authorities maintaining heavy security in the area to prevent further escalation.
