The ongoing Dilli Chalo protest on Wednesday witnessed a tragic turn of events as a young protesting-farmer lost his life due to a head injury sustained reportedly by a rubber bullet at the Khanauri border. The incident prompted the suspension of the protest for two days, with the farmer leaders indicating a review of the situation before announcing the next course of action on Friday evening.
The unrest escalated as clashes erupted between farmers and the Haryana Police, leading to several injuries and the unfortunate demise of a protester, who was in his early 20s and only brother to two sisters. Tear gas shells were deployed by the police at both the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, exacerbating tensions among the agitating farmers.
The deceased protester hailed from Bathinda highlighting the widespread participation and support for the farmers’ cause from various regions. Additionally, reports indicate that more than a dozen other farmers sustained injuries during the confrontations, further fueling the already charged atmosphere at the protest sites.
In response to the escalating situation, farmer leaders decided to suspend the planned march from the Shambhu and Khanauri borders to Delhi. However, tensions remained palpable as clashes continued sporadically, prompting both sides to exercise restraint.
The significance of the Khanauri border in particular was underscored by farmer leaders, who emphasized the gravity of the situation there compared to other protest sites. They cited a higher number of casualties and injuries, indicating the intensity of the standoff between the farmers and law enforcement agencies.
According to the farmer leaders, the situation at Khanauri border is more grave than at the Shambhu border. They claim that over 100 farmers have been injured, and the number of fatalities could range from four to five. Farmers also alleged that the police have damaged more than 50 tractors.
At Khanauri-Data Singh Wala border, farmers and security forces came out with white flags as a mark of truce. Earlier in the day, clashes ensued between farmers and police at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, with the police resorting to rubber bullets and tear gas to deter the farmers throughout the day.
Following the firing of rubber bullets at farmers near the Shambhu border, the Haryana Police resorted to tear gas shells, leading to an explosion, and the chaos ensued. Indeed, at both the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, police are intensifying barricades to disperse Punjab farmers and prevent them from proceeding to Delhi. At the Shambhu border, police are deploying tear gas shells from drones on the assembled farmers, who are retaliating by flying kites to obstruct the drones.
Continuous deployment of tear gas at the Shambhu border has resulted in the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha’s coordinator Sarvan Singh Pandher experiencing tear gas exposure, leading to his removal from the protest site. Another prominent leader of the agitation, Jagjeet Singh Dallewal, also faced breathing difficulties due to tear gas and was subsequently escorted away from the area.
Earlier, the farmers at Shambhu took proactive measures to protect themselves, wearing swimming goggles to shield their eyes and earplugs to mitigate the impact of tear gas. They had also reinforced their tractors and JCBs, outfitting their tyres with metal sheets to prevent damage, positioning all heavy machinery at the forefront of the protest.
However, Punjab police had also intercepted several heavy machines intended for use, preventing them from reaching the protest site. At Khanauri border near Jind in Haryana, a crowd of approximately 15,000 protesters has congregated, with surrounding fields brimming with demonstrators.
Amidst the commotion, efforts were made to mediate between the protesting farmers and the authorities. However, the deployment of tear gas and other crowd control measures only served to escalate the situation further, highlighting the deep-seated grievances driving the farmers' protest.
Furthermore, solidarity among the farming community was evident as farmers from various regions rallied in support of their counterparts at the protest sites. Tractor trollies lined up at different border points symbolized the collective strength and determination of the farmers in their struggle for justice.
Meanwhile, the demand for dialogue and concrete action from the government remained steadfast, with farmer leaders insisting on a clear stance regarding the Minimum Support Price (MSP) law. The telephonic discussions between farmer representatives and Union Ministers failed to yield any breakthrough, prolonging the deadlock between the two sides.
Meanwhile, farmers from Punjab have started gathering at the Bathinda-Dabwali border, joining the ongoing protests at Shambhu and Khanauri borders. Arriving with their tractor trollies, they voiced solidarity with the protesting farmers — marking the third Punjab-Haryana border to witness such gatherings. The farmers expressed determination to continue their agitation until their demands, including legal guarantee on MSP, are met.
DIG Bhullar Protests Haryana Police's Tear Gas Deployment
Patiala range DIG HS Bhullar condemned the Haryana Police’s use of 14 tear gas shells without provocation as farmers initiated their march towards Delhi from the Shambhu border. Bhullar expressed his dissatisfaction by registering a protest with the Haryana Police over their actions. Additionally, efforts were made to defuse tensions as the district collector, Divisional Commissioner DS Mangat, and DIG Bhullar mediated discussions between farmer leaders and the Centre at the highway police picket, aiming to find a peaceful resolution to the escalating situation.
Another Haryana cop dies
Tragedy struck once more amidst the ongoing farmers’ agitation as another police officer, Exempee Sub-Inspector (ESI) Vijay Kumar, stationed at Tohana border in Haryana’s Fatehabad district, succumbed to illness on late Tuesday evening. The officer fell ill while on duty and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival. Haryana DGP SS Kapur expressed deep sorrow, stating, “It is extremely sad and unfortunate for us. Haryana Police stands with ESI Vijay Kumar’s family in this moment of grief.” This marks the third police officer to pass away in recent days, following the deaths of Government Railway Police Sub-Inspector Hiralal and ESI Kaushal Kumar stationed at the Shambhu border.
