Cops as well as protesters have been hit near Harayan-Punjab-Delhi borders amid the ongoing farmers’ protest that continued on Wednesday. Reports said Wednesday afternoon that a farmer also lost his life near the Khanauri border, but Haryana Police claimed that there have been no casualties among the protesters. The government earlier claimed that the farmers would put a hold on the protests and the march towards the national capital but farmers rejected the claims and continued the protests.
Haryana Police also refuted claims that they “abducted” a protesting farmer. The cops clarified that Preet from Sangrur’s Nawa Gao was admitted in PGI Rohtak and is completely put of danger. In a note issued around 3pm regarding a farmer’s death, Haryana Police said, “According to information that we have till now, there have been no farmer death today. It is just a rumour. We have information that two cops and one protestor have been injured and are currently under treatment.”
An Indian Express report claimed that a protester was hit on the head during the tear gas shelling near Khanauri border and he eventually died. Several farmers were also injured near Shambhu and Khanauri borders, it added.
According to a report in The Hindu, the home ministry has informed Punjab state government that at nearly 14 thousand people and more than a thousand tractors are at the Shambhu border.
Ambala Police warned farmers against marching towards borders, reminding them that Section 144 is currently imposed in the district, and along the borders of the national capital. Meanwhile, Haryana Police urged owners and operators of poclains and JCBs to avoid providing equipment to the protestors and also asked them to withdraw those from the protest site if already present there. In a notice, the Police added that such vehicles are likely to be used to cause harm to security forces and the owners and operators may be held criminally liable if such an incident were to occur as it is a non bailable offence.
Talking to the press, spokesperson of the Haryana Police AIG (Administration) Manisha Chaudhary has said that Haryana Police has deployed police personnel along all the borders with Punjab, adding that the farmers may hold peaceful protests without taking law in their hands. She added that farmers are also welcome to submit memorandum regarding their demands.
Farmers have refused to stall the protest and march. The fifth meeting between government and farmer representatives has been scheduled for Wednesday evening. While the government has proposed further talks on all demands including MSP and FIRs, the farmers have reportedly urged the government to confirm concrete plans for implementing MSP.