Farmers Protest Day 4: Tear Gas Fired At Shambhu Border, Buses Off Roads In Punjab. Top Points

The protesting Punjab farmers have remained at the two border points, Shambhu and Khanauri, after being stopped by security personnel on Tuesday. Top points from Day 4 of farmers' protest.

Security personnel stand guard at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border during farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest.

Source : PTI Images

Haryana Police resorted to tear gas to disperse protesting farmers as they approached barricades at the Shambhu border near Ambala. This clash occurred on Friday, the fourth day of the 'Delhi Chalo' march by farmers, organised by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. The farmers seek acceptance of their demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

Commuters in Punjab experienced disruptions on Friday as buses refrained from operations in adherence to the 'Bharat Bandh. Here's all that happened from day four of the march. 

Top Points: 

• Haryana Police resorted to tear gas to disperse protesting farmers as they approached barricades at Shambhu border near Ambala. This clash occurred on the fourth day of the 'Delhi Chalo' march by farmers. 
• Haryana Police shared video clips on X, portraying farmers purportedly pelting stones and attempting to provoke security personnel at the Shambhu border. In response, the police stressed that disorder under the guise of the farmers' movement would not be tolerated. The clashes left 25 security personnel injured, comprising 18 from Haryana Police and seven paramilitary force jawans.
• Videos circulated by Haryana Police depicted young protesters hurling stones and collecting them to use against security personnel. Farmer leaders, however, accused Haryana security personnel of using force, including tear gas shells and rubber bullets, resulting in several injuries.
• Sarwan Singh Pandher, a farmer leader, accused the Centre of attempting to suppress protester voices, highlighting the suspension of social media accounts belonging to farmers and YouTubers. He claimed that around 70 YouTubers supporting the farmers' protest had their accounts suspended.
• Amid the ongoing standoff, a 63-year-old farmer, Gian Singh from Punjab's Gurdaspur district, died of a heart attack on the fourth day of the protest. He complained of chest pain, was taken to a hospital in Rajpura, and subsequently declared brought dead at Rajindra Hospital in Patiala.
• Commuters in Punjab experienced disruptions on Friday as buses refrained from operations. While Haryana witnessed a partial response to the bandh, several markets and commercial establishments in Punjab remained closed. The bandh, however, concluded peacefully, according to officials.
• Farmers, associated with different factions, conducted demonstrations and blocked national highways in Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Bathinda, and Jalandhar. Toll plazas were besieged, and slogans were raised against the Centre for not meeting their demands.
• In Haryana's Hisar, Haryana Roadways bus services came to a standstill as staff supported the SKM's Bharat Bandh. Demonstrations were held, and slogans were raised in support of their demands.
• In Kurukshetra, the bandh failed to evoke a significant response, with shops open and buses operating.
• Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) members staged protests at toll plazas in Haryana, preventing toll collection. Protests also occurred in parts of western Uttar Pradesh, with BKU leader Rakesh Tikait participating in a demonstration in Muzaffarnagar.
• The bandh had minimal impact in Shahajahanpur, Budaun, and Meerut. Various farmer bodies, including Bharti Kisan Union (Rajewal), Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakunda), Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal), Bharatiya Kisan Union (Qadian), and Kirti Kisan Union, participated.

Following inconclusive talks between Union ministers and farmer leaders, a fresh confrontation unfolded. Both sides are set to reconvene on February 18 for the fourth round of discussions, after previous meetings on February 8, 12, and 15 failed to yield results.