Iron fencing, barbed wires, barricades thwart protesting farmers' third bid

Another attempt by protesting farmers to enter Haryana through the Shambhu border to march towards Delhi on Saturday met the same fate, like the previous two attempts. Some farmers tried to break the fencing, forcing security personnel to use water cannon and teargas to stop them.

Installation of the strong iron fencing and barbed wires on the cemented barricades by the security personnel have been giving a tough time to the agitating farmers. Despite repeated attempts to break the fencing with the help of hooks supported by ropes, the farmers have not been able to break it and cross over due to prompt action from the security personnel.

As per the call given, the farmers started marching towards the barricades but heavy security, strong barricading, use of teargas and water cannon by security personnel didn’t allow them to enter Haryana once again. Ambala Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta and Superintendent of Police Surinder Singh Bhoria held a discussion with farmers before the farmer tried to break the fencing.

The SP told farmers that if they (farmers) agreed he could get the meeting fixed with the Supreme Court’s high-powered committee, but the farmers turned it down. The farmers said they had no dispute with the Haryana Government and they should be allowed to march ahead. "If the Delhi Government has any objection, it should stop the farmers itself. The SP and DC also asked the farmers to have faith in the Supreme Court and the committee.

Bhartiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) spokesman Tejveer Singh said: “Height of the iron fencing on the cemented barricades is being continuously increased to stop farmers from crossing over. The farmers are not going to climb up the structure and we want to hold a peaceful march towards Delhi. On one hand, the government claims that it wants to hold a dialogue and on the other hand, dirty water and teargas are being used on farmers. Human rights activists and social groups should come forward and raise the farmers’ issues.”

Meanwhile, SP Surinder Singh Bhoria said: “We were holding a dialogue with a group of farmers that had reached near the fencing when some miscreants tried to break the fencing. Only water cannon and teargas were used to disperse them. The allegations of dirty water and chemical laced water are baseless.”

“We have appealed to the farmers to hold a meeting with the high-powered committee formed by the Supreme Court... ample measures are being taken to maintain the law and order," he added.