Haryana Police and Protesting Farmers Clash at Shambhu Border Over MSP Demands

In a significant escalation of tensions, the Haryana police resorted to firing tear gas shells at protesting farmers at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border on Wednesday. The farmers, who have been demanding a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops, were prepared with gas masks, bulldozers, and other heavy machinery to confront the police. The conflict has intensified as both sides brought bulldozers to the protest site, signaling a readiness for a standoff.

The Haryana police issued a warning to the owners and operators of earth-moving machines participating in the protest, stating that using these machines to harm security forces is a non-bailable offense, potentially leading to criminal liability. This warning comes in the wake of the farmers returning to the protest site with modified JCB machines and make-shift gas masks, days after being stopped by police barricades and tear gas.

The situation remains tense as the farmers, led by leaders like Sarwan Singh Pandher, vow to continue their march to Delhi peacefully, blaming the government for any violence that may occur. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has criticized the use of tractor trolleys on highways by the protesters, highlighting the legal and safety concerns involved. As the standoff continues, the central government’s offer of MSP on certain crops for the next five years has been rejected by the farmers, who demand a more comprehensive solution.

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