Farmers faced a lathi-charge and tear gas early this morning at the Haryana-Delhi border and clashed with the police as they continued their march towards Delhi for a massive protest against new farm laws.
Groups of farmers, walking with tractors carrying stocks of food and essential supplies, are trying to enter Delhi from multiple points, defying barricades, many wrapped in barbed wire. To stop their progress, the Haryana police has dug trenches at various crossing points. This morning, farmers tear-gassed at the Haryana-Delhi border were seen arguing with the police who tried to push them back.
The Top 5 Updates On The Farmers’ Protests
- Sand-laden trucks and barbed wire barricades have been placed at the Delhi’s border with Haryana to stop thousands of farmers from entering the capital for their “Delhi Chalo” protest.
- Police officers have cited coronavirus rules to stop the protesters. At a border point, Singhu, a farmer leader questioned the police why the Covid guidelines only applied to farmers and not the forces posted to block their way. The officer replied: “What are you talking about? I am also a farmer.”
- The protest, planned for over two months, has the support of 500 farmers’ organisations. The farmers have not responded to agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar’s appeal for talks on December 3. “The new farm laws are worse than the pandemic,” a farmer said amid clashes with the police this morning.
- The farmers are protesting three new laws aimed at bringing reforms by doing away with middlemen and improving farmers’ earnings by allowing them to sell produce anywhere in the country. Farmers and opposition parties allege that the laws will deprive the farmers of guaranteed minimum price for their produce and leave them at the mercy of corporates.
- Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar — whose state was hugely criticised for its use of force against farmers — hit out at his Punjab counterpart Amarinder Singh, accusing him of inciting the protests and playing “cheap politics” during the pandemic.
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