Farmers announce rail roko after march thwarted again

Protesting farmers on Saturday suspended their foot march to Delhi for the day after at least 17 sustained injuries in tear gas shelling by Haryana security personnel at the Shambhu border, with farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announcing a "tractor march" in states outside Punjab on December 16, and a "rail roko" in Punjab on December 18.

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The announcement came after a "jatha" of 101 farmers had to suspend their foot march to Delhi from the Shambhu border on Saturday after 17 sustained injuries in tear gas shelling by Haryana security personnel, who foiled the agitators' third attempt in less than 10 days to cross the Punjab-Haryana border. Ahead of the resumption of their march, the Haryana government had on Saturday suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 12 villages in Ambala till December 17 "to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order".

Pandher said 17 farmers were injured in the action by the Haryana security personnel. "The two forums (of farmers' unions) have decided to call back our 'jatha' (group)," he told reporters.

"How are 101 farmers a danger to the law and order and peace of the country? You are debating the Constitution (in Parliament). Which Constitution allows the use of force against farmers?" he asked, and rued that no discussion is taking place on the issue of farmers in Parliament.