Farmers' protest: Tear gas shells fired at Shambhu, Khanauri border points to disperse protesters
Chandigarh (PTI): The Haryana Police on Wednesday hurled tear gas shells to disperse farmers from Punjab at Shambhu and Khanauri border points as they tried to move towards the barricades stalling their protest march to Delhi.
The farmers, demanding a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) for their crops, had announced that they would resume their protest at 11 am Wednesday, after their fourth round of talks with the government failed to resolve the issue.
As some of them tried to begin to move towards the multi-layered barricades at Shambhu, near Ambala in Haryana, police dispersed them with tear gas. After a lull, there was a similar incident again.
A drone was also spotted over the protest site in Shambhu
ALSO READ: BJP appeals to protesting farmers to arrive at solution peacefully
A similar situation was witnessed in Khanauri on the Punjab-Haryana border when Haryana Police lobbed multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse farmers as they moved towards the barricades.
Following the tear gas shelling, a chaotic situation was witnessed with farmers running for cover as the smoke enveloped the area near the Khanauri border.
Many protesting farmers were seen wearing masks and protective glasses to protect themselves from the gas.
Farmer leaders have asked farmers to maintain calm and peace at the border points.
Protesting farmers had rejected the BJP-led Centre's proposal for procuring pulses, maize and cotton at the MSP by government agencies for five years.
Thousands of farmers, who began the march to Delhi on February 13, were stopped at the Haryana border itself, where they clashed with security personnel. The farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri points on Punjab's border with Haryana since then.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo' march to press the government to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP for crops and a farm loan waiver.
VIDEO | Security forces fire tear gas shells to disperse agitating farmers at #Khanauri border in Sangrur district of #Punjab. #FarmersProtest
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 21, 2024
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/SzAqYlGpJt
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Mamata alleges BJP disrupted her Bhabanipur rally, Suvendu claims 'she's nervous'
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cut short her speech at a rally in her Bhabanipur constituency, alleging that the BJP was deliberately playing loud music from a nearby public meeting.
A peeved Banerjee said despite having the required permission of the Election Commission, her rally in Chakraberia was disrupted by the BJP, "who want to capture Bengal by intimidation and threat".
"It is not possible for me to go ahead with this meeting. If they can do such a thing in my constituency, imagine how undemocratic the BJP is. If they behave like this, I have to take legal action," she said.
"This is an insult, humiliation. BJP is stepping on our toes to instigate trouble. Not possible to address the gathering in this situation. I am leaving the stage. Please vote for me in your protest," she added.
Banerjee was then seen calling someone over and venting her grievances.
Before leaving the stage, she said, "I will hold a rally tomorrow at the same spot."
TMC supporters then rushed towards the BJP rally, which was later addressed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, but security personnel intervened and prevented the situation from escalating.
TMC workers later staged a demonstration outside the local police station and filed a complaint, alleging that the BJP violated the model code of conduct.
A senior TMC leader said another complaint will also be lodged with the Election Commission.
Asked about Banerjee's allegations, Adhikari told reporters after the rally he held nearby, "Her reaction shows she is nervous about the imminent loss."
"There was no violence, no obstruction in her meeting and her behaviour shows her nervousness. On May 4, people of Bhabanipur will celebrate the victory of the BJP," he claimed, alleging that the TMC also tried to disrupt his meeting by playing loud music.
South Kolkata's Bhabanipur, one of the battleground seats in the West Bengal elections, will vote in the second phase on April 29.
