Tensions escalated in northern India as police deployed tear gas to disperse thousands of farmers marching towards Delhi to demand Minimum Support Price (MSP). The government, wary of a repeat of the 2020 protests, has fortified the capital with barriers, fearing potential unrest. Despite promises made after the previous demonstrations, farmers claim their demands remain unmet.
In a scene reminiscent of past unrest, clashes erupted near Delhi as police confronted protesting farmers with tear gas. The standoff underscores the unresolved grievances within the agricultural sector, despite assurances from authorities. Farmers assert that commitments, particularly regarding guaranteed floor prices and income doubling, remain unfulfilled, intensifying their resolve for action.
According to reports from BBC, tear gas enveloped the vicinity of Ambala, nearly 200 kilometers north of Delhi, as police also engaged demonstrators at the Shambhu border between Haryana and Punjab. Drones hovered overhead, dispersing tear gas onto the crowd, escalating tensions in the already volatile situation. Witnesses described a day filled with tear gas shells, resulting in injuries primarily caused by police-fired plastic bullets.
In response, demonstrators retaliated, pelting law enforcement with stones while employing makeshift measures such as wet sacks and clothes to shield themselves from the tear gas onslaught. Meanwhile, Delhi grappled with traffic disruptions and blockades, exacerbating the logistical challenges posed by the protests.
To preempt further unrest, authorities in Delhi prohibited large gatherings and implemented internet suspensions in Haryana, a move aimed at quelling dissent. Despite two rounds of negotiations between farm union leaders and the central government, a resolution remains elusive.
Farmers are asking for guaranteed floor prices – also known as minimum support price or MSP – which allows them to sell most of their produce at government-controlled wholesale markets, or mandis. They are also demanding that the government fulfill its promise of doubling farmers’ income.
The impasse underscores the gravity of the situation, with more than 200 farmer unions participating in the march. Sarvan Singh Pandher, general secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, emphasized the peaceful nature of their movement, reiterating the demand for government attention to their plight.
As tensions escalate, farmers and trade unions have announced a rural strike scheduled for 16 February further amplifying their demands.