‘Dilli Chalo’: 62 more farmers injured at Shambhu, Khanauri barriers

Tribune News Service

Aman Sood

Shambhu, February 14

As many as 50 farmers suffered injuries here and 12 at Khanauri today following rubber bullets and tear gas shells fired by the Haryana Police on Day 2 of ‘Dilli Chalo’, taking the number of injured to over 130.

Thousands of farmers camped at Shambhu on Tuesday night and for the second consecutive day, the police continued to fire rubber bullets, tear gas shells and smoke bombs to keep the protesters away from the barricades.

The firing by the police started at 7.30 am when a few youngsters were seen taking a stroll near the barrier on the Punjab side. Around 12.30 pm and 3.30 pm, some youngsters again moved towards the barrier, which led to heavy bombardment of gas shells.

Many farmers sustained injuries while a few were wounded when robber bullets hit them directly. Late in the afternoon, some farmers again moved towards the barricades and the cops used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse them. A few farmers were wounded while a few others fell unconscious.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Government has put on alert all government hospitals in and around Shambu and also deputed medical teams and ambulances at the protest site. As many as 50 persons were admitted to hospitals. Punjab announced that it would bear treatment expenses of injured persons.

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh visited the health facilities and met the injured farmers, journalists and police personnel.

“We are not for any confrontation with the Centre or Haryana. You have to understand that our protest is for farmers and not to enter Haryana to confront the cops”, said Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher.

“We want an amicable solution and know that it can be achieved through dialogue. Therefore, we again request the government to sit with us and assure us in writing,” he said, adding that union members would camp in Shambu till further decision.

Senior SKM (Non-political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said the Patiala administration and ADGP, Intelligence, Jaskaran Singh had met and told him that the Centre is ready for talks. “We are also ready to sit, but in this environment when the Haryana Government is firing at our supporters, talks cannot happen. The atmosphere needs to be cordial for a healthy discussion,” he stated.

In the evening, the union leaders held talks with the Central ministers through video-conferencing. However, they said any decision on future course of action would be announced by the leaders on Thursday morning.

Hundreds of women protesters also reached Shambhu and were seen helping prepare langar for farmers.

Patiala DC objects to UAVs dropping shells

Patiala DC Showkat Ahmad Parray wrote to his Ambala counterpart objecting to drones carrying tear gas shells operating deep inside the territory of Patiala. “Tear gas shelling using drones deep inside the territory of the district where police and administration teams are deputed is creating chaos,” he mentioned in his letter. “As such, I request you to immediately stop the use of drones,” it read.

Need cordial atmosphere

We are also ready to sit, but in this environment when the Haryana Government is firing at our supporters, talks cannot happen. The atmosphere needs to be cordial for a healthy discussion. — Jagjit Singh Dallewal, skm (non-political)

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