Day of drama as farmers meet resistance at Haryana border

The farmers' march to Delhi on Tuesday resulted in chaos at the Punjab-Haryana border as protesters faced tear gas shells, water cannons and lathi-charge at two points when they attempted to break through multiple layers of barricades set up by the police to prevent them from heading towards the national capital.

- Bhavey Nagpal and Sunil Rahar

At least 110 farmers from Punjab were injured in the face-off with Haryana police stationed at Shambhu border near Ambala and Khanauri border in Jind, after the latter fired tear gas shells, including through drones, and resorted to force to halt long caravans of tractors, SUVs, trucks and private cars. According to Haryana police officials, several protesters were also detained at the Shambhu border but were released a few s later.

"We will ensure complete peace and not allow it to be disrupted in any way. We will seek additional forces from the Centre if required," Haryana home minister Anil Vij said, as the state government imposed restrictions on the assembly of people under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in 17 districts and extended mobile internet shutdowns in seven of them.

Sixty-four companies of paramilitary personnel and 50 from the state police were deployed across the Haryana districts. A Haryana Police spokesperson said at least 24 policemen were injured after protesting farmers resorted to stone pelting at both the points.