Punjab farmers stopped in their tracks once again

A strong multilayered barricading, police and paramilitary deployment along with use of teargas and pepper spray by the security personnel once again foiled the farmers’ attempt of entering Haryana for Delhi March.

As farmers were determined to move towards Delhi as per their call given by the SKM (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, the Haryana Police made ample security arrangements to stop them at the Shambhu border.

Besides the deployment of a large number of police and paramilitary personnel, multi-layered cemented barricades, barbed wires and water cannons deterred farmers from moving ahead. The Haryana Police had also parked some roadways buses with their windows covered with papers near the Shambhu.

Get permission from Delhi

They can’t be allowed to go without permission. Before holding any event in Delhi, they should get the permission. If they are allowed to go and they don’t get the permission from Delhi, they will sit in Haryana and cause inconvenience. They should obtain permission and then proceed.

Anil Vij, Cabinet Minister

Internet suspended in 11 villages

The Home Department on Friday issued orders for the suspension of the mobile internet services, bulk SMS (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services on mobile networks, except the voice calls, in 11 villages -- Dangdehri, Lohgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Lharsa, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar, Saddopur, Sultanpur and Kakru -- in the jurisdiction of Ambala district till December 9

Commuters harassed

Commuters continued to face inconvenience as they were forced to take the alternative routes due to the blockades on the national highway. A majority of the commuters coming from other states were unaware of the closure of the Shambhu border and the policemen guided them to proceed from available routes.

The Haryana-Punjab interstate border has been lying sealed since February due to the ongoing standoff between the government and the farmers over the latter’s demands, including legal MSP guarantee, and debt.

As farmers continue to make attempts to come near the makeshift structure and pull down the fencing despite repeated requests made by the police to stay away, pepper spray and teargas shells were used by the police to stop them. The Haryana Police also played 'kirtan' on loudspeaker as farmers tried to get close to the barricades. Despite repeated attempts, farmers were not allowed to crossover.

IG Ambala Range Sibash Kabiraj, Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta, and SP Surinder Singh Bhoria were present on the spot to monitor the situation.

The Ambala police said to avoid any untoward incident, Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was imposed. Some aggressive people in the group of 101 farmers broke the barricades, tied chains with the fence in attempt to pull it down, climbed on the makeshift structure, where the security personnel were present to stop them, and created ruckus. No responsible farmer leader was seen in this group.

The Ambala police said “While exercising restraint, repeatedly warnings were given to the farmers to stay behind and not to disturb the law and order. Appropriate action was taken to maintain the law and order.”

Ambala SP Surinder Singh Bhoria said: “Despite repeated requests and announcements, they tried to pull down the fencing with the help of chains. They were not peaceful as they had claimed. Five policemen suffered minor injuries today. Low intensity spray and minimum teargas shelling was done. We have told them in the past too to get the permission from Delhi first and then proceed, and have also told them that they can handover their demands and the same will be forwarded to the authorities concerned.”

IG, Ambala Range, Sibash Kabiraj said: "Farmers created a ruckus by breaking the barricades and tried their best to bring down the structure. No one will be allowed to take law and order in their hands and legal action will be taken against anyone who disobeys the rules."