Even braving tear-gas shells, farmers move close to Delhi

CHANDIGARH: Tens of thousands of farmers on Thursday practically rose up in arms as they braved tear-gas shells and water cannons, managed to break police barricades at several places in Haryana while heading to the national capital to lodge their protest over the Centre's farm laws. Several protesters and policemen were injured.

The farmers broke barricades and threw them down the bridge ahead of the Punjab-Haryana border in Shambhu near Ambala. According to official estimates, there are over 50,000 farmers heading towards Delhi.

Bracing overnight rains and chilly winds, thousands of protesting farmers assembled at various places along the Haryana-Punjab borders amid mounting tension.

They were stopped by the Haryana Police while heading towards the national capital for their 'Dilli Chalo' protest.

Thousands of farmers have been staging sit-in protest towards Punjab ahead of the Dabwali barrier between Bathinda and Sirsa districts and at Khanauri border in Sangrur district, awaiting the decision by their leaders to move towards Delhi.

While activists of the Bharti Kisan Union Ekta-Ugrahan and Sidhupur factions have been camping on the border at Khanauri and Moonak, respectively, since Wednesday evening, other farmer unions have changed their plans and decided to head for Delhi from other entry points.

BKU (Ugrahan) President Joginder Ugrahan said, "If we are not allowed to cross Haryana and head towards Delhi, our protest destination will be the border points for a week."

A huge contingent of police comprising the Rapid Action Force has been deployed at all entry points in Haryana to deal with any untoward situation.

Residents of several towns located along the Punjab-Haryana borders throughout the day faced a harrowing time due to the heavy deployment of the security forces and snapping of the bus services in the past 24 hours.

Farmers have swarmed roads and other open spaces. Several link roads entering Haryana have also been barricaded. (IANS)

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