Farmers Suspend Delhi Foot March Amid Police Action, 17 Injured

Shambhu Border, Haryana-Punjab

Farmers Suspend Delhi Foot March: The farmer activists protested government policies and suspended their Delhi Foot March on Saturday after the police thwarted their advance using tear shells and water cannons. Sarwan Singh Pandher, a farmer leader, told IANS that clashes had taken place at the Shambhu border, with 17-18 activists injured.

As many as 101 farmers of Punjab have resumed the protest for the 307th day. However, Haryana Police had mounted heavy barricading at each end of Kundli crossing in Sonipat where hundreds of thousands of kisans from Bharat marched toward Delhi and called this movement “Delhi Kooch.”.

Visuals from the scene show police spraying tear gas and water jets at farmers through iron barricades. Despite the tension, the farmers requested police to allow them to continue their march peacefully. “Fifty percent of the people in our country are engaged in agriculture. Their voices cannot be suppressed,” said Pandher.

While drawing attention to the plight of protesting farmers, Pandher pointed out that Jagjit Singh Dallewal, convener of the Non-Political Samyukta Kisan Morcha, is on a fast-unto-death at the Khanouri border. “His deteriorating health is evident to everyone, including the Prime Minister,” Pandher said.

The farmers reiterated their peaceful intentions by saying, “You can check us for everything. We only have flags and clothes. We want to talk to the government about our issues.”

Ambala Superintendent of Police appealed for dialogue and legal procedures. “If you want to go to Delhi, you should take proper permission. Once approved, we will allow you to proceed,” he said. He even mentioned the Supreme Court on December 18, advising that the talks must come within the framework of procedure.

The farmers’ agitation, going on for nearly a year now, demands a solution to several long pending issues such as minimum support prices and agricultural reforms. This temporary suspension of the march reflects the difficulties with which they face in articulating their voices.

(With inputs from ANI)