Jobaaj Stories
To address the grievances of protesting farmers, a third meeting between them and a group of Union ministers is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday in Chandigarh. This meeting comes amidst a continuing standoff at the Punjab-Haryana border, with tensions escalating between farmers and Haryana police at Shambhu and Khanauri. The confrontation marks the second day of the farmers' march toward Delhi, demanding resolutions to their concerns.
The government delegation, including Ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, and Nityanand Rai, is expected to propose the formation of a new committee to examine all unresolved issues, prominently featuring the demand for a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops. However, protesters have expressed their determination to intensify their actions, including forcing their way through barricades, if their demands remain unmet post-discussion.
On the frontline, tensions have risen as Haryana police resorted to tear gas and water cannons to prevent the protesters from advancing. In response, the farmers employed innovative tactics, such as utilizing water sprinklers, heavy-duty fans to disperse the tear gas, and kites with Chinese manja to neutralize teargas-dropping drones. Despite claims of a police drone being downed by these kites, local authorities have denied such incidents, asserting the drones' safe operation.
The situation at the Shambhu border witnessed an increase in farmer numbers, leading to attempts to cross the Ghaggar bridge, which were met with police deploying tear gas and water cannons. In defense, the protesters prepared by using swimming goggles and tractors laden with wet sacks to counteract the tear gas effects.
Amidst the turmoil, humanitarian aid surfaced with organizations like Khalsa Aid and individuals offering food, water, and support to the protesting farmers. The Punjab government has pledged to cover the medical expenses of those injured during the confrontations. Leading the protest, farmer representatives including Jagjit Singh Dallewal and others have sought the protesters' consent for the forthcoming talks, emphasizing their commitment to their demands over confrontation. They also urged for peace until the results of the meeting are disclosed, highlighting the significance of these discussions in potentially resolving the conflict.
The farmer leaders, in coordination with Punjab police, have called for de-escalation at the border points until a definitive outcome from the talks is achieved, signaling a crucial juncture in the ongoing farmer-government dialogue.
