Farmers Protest: Farmers claim flowers showered on them were laced with chemicals | Chandigarh News – Times of India

BATHINDA: Haryana police thwarted Sunday a second attempt by protesting farmers to march toward New Delhi, firing tear gas shells, deploying water cannons, and using pepper spray at Punjab-Haryana border near Shambhu.
The crackdown left several farmers wounded and prompted Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to temporarily suspend their march.
The confrontation occurred around noon when a second group of 101 farmers from Punjab tried to breach the multi-layered barricades on NH44. The farmers are demanding a legal guarantee for MSP and farm loan waivers.
Police initially extended a gesture of goodwill by offering tea, playing hymns from Gurbani, and showering flowers on the farmers from atop the barricades. However, as the protesters attempted to dismantle the iron grilles, authorities resorted to force, using tear gas, pepper spray, and water cannons.
Six wounded farmers were admitted to the govt hospital in Rajpura, with two requiring transfer to more-advanced facilities. “Their wounds are critical but not life-threatening,” said senior medical officer Dr Sonia Jangwal. During the farmers’ first attempt to march on Dec 6, at least 17 were wounded. Most have since been discharged.
The protesters accused Haryana police of using “tear smoke grenades” that produce large volumes of smoke and claimed the flowers showered on them were laced with chemicals. They also displayed an allegedly expired tear gas shell as evidence. Amid the tension, police announced through loudspeakers that farmers should return to their camp unless they could produce official permission to proceed to the national capital.
Farm union leaders eventually decided to retreat at 3.50pm following an intervention by Sanyukt Kisan Morcha coordinator Sarvan Singh Pandher. “We will decide about our next course of action at a joint meeting of farmer forums Monday,” Pandher said. “The police action, including the use of chemical-laced items, has exposed the real face of BJP-led central govt.”
According to Pandher, Haryana authorities had sought a day to consult the Centre. “Citing PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Panipat, Haryana requested time for discussions. We agreed to wait until Monday evening,” he said.