FARMER-GOVI CLASH FARMER LEADERS CALL FOR 'RAIL ROKO", 'TRACTOR MARCH'

CHANDIGARH After Haryana police thwarted another attempt by farmers to march to Delhi, farmer leaders have called for a three-hour train blockade in Punjab on December 18 and plan to conduct tractor marches in several states on December 16.

- NEERAJ MOHAN

The Delhi March by a group of 101 farmers was suspended on Saturday evening following a violent clash at the Shambhu border, where Haryana police stopped the farmers at barricades set up on the Ghaggar River bridge. Farmer leader Sarwan Pandher claimed that 17 farmers were injured during the clash, which involved tear gas shelling by Haryana security forces. He criticized the government's actions, stating that the police were targeting farmers and preventing them from reaching the nation's capital to voice their concerns.

Pandher also accused the Haryana police of using "chemical-mixed water" from the Ghaggar River to disperse the farmers and deploying expired tear gas shells. Another farmer leader, Manjit Rai, alleged that security personnel used rubber bullets, resulting in serious injuries to one farmer. However, Ambala Cantt Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajat Gulia denied these allegations.