Farmer leader Saravan Singh Pandher announced that he would protest against the tractor march and rail row outside Punjab.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher had announced a tractor march outside Punjab on December 16 and a ‘rail stop’ in Punjab on December 18. The announcement was made a few hours after a ‘jatha’ of 101 farmers was blocked by the police. Shambhu crossing has been closed due to security reasons.
Pandher said that 17 farmers were injured when the police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protestors at Shambhu crossing. He said that the condition of many farmers was serious and accused the administration of negligence in treating them in the hospital.
Speaking to ANI at Shambhu border, Pandher said, “The government of India, the world’s fifth largest economy, used force against 101 farmers. Chemical water was fired at us using cannons, bombs were fired and teargas fired. 17 farmers were injured, many of them critically. As they are not getting proper treatment in the hospital, we request the Punjab government to ensure adequate treatment.”
“A tractor march will be organized outside Punjab on December 16, and on December 18, we have called for a ‘Rail Roko’ in Punjab. We appeal to all Punjabis to participate in large numbers,” he added.
Answering a question, Pandher criticized the opposition for not being able to effectively address farmers’ problems in the ongoing winter session of Parliament. He specifically accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of failing to fulfill his promises to farmers.
“The opposition should not shirk their responsibility by just making statements. They should highlight our agenda and stall Parliament on our issues like on other issues. Rahul Gandhi is not raising our concerns in Parliament as he assured us,” Pandher said. said
Earlier in the day, security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse a ‘jatha’ of farmers heading towards Delhi (‘Delhi Kutch’) from the Shambhu border. Despite the police blockade and heavy deployment, the farmers persisted in their protest.
A ‘jatha’ of 101 farmers was stopped from entering the national capital from Shambhu border crossing in Haryana on Saturday afternoon. Tensions flared at the protest site as farmers tried to move on, but police pointed to security concerns and the need to regulate protesters’ movement in Delhi.
The farmers have requested the security agencies to continue the protest peacefully. Addressing the police from the barricades, a farmer leader said, “SP sir, we want to march peacefully till Delhi. We request you not to obstruct our protest. Please give us way. Our voice should not be suppressed by these iron and stones. Obstacles.”
In reply, the Superintendent of Police of Ambala said, “If you want to go to Delhi, you have to get the proper permission. Once you have that, we will allow you to proceed. There was a hearing in the Supreme Court yesterday. Instructions have been given. The meeting has been allowed, and The next date is December 18. We appeal to you to stay here peacefully and follow the rules.”
The police presence at the border was significantly increased after the farmers announced an attempt to march towards New Delhi. As the movement intensified, the farmers are intensifying the movement to put pressure on the government to address their demands.
Apart from the headline, the story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published by ANI.