Farmers' Protest 2.0: Tear gas shells fired, water sprayed as protests resume at Shambu border

The farmers from Punjab resumedtheir "Chalo Dilli" march on the second dayafter they clashed with the police on the Punjab-Haryana border on Tuesday (Feb 13) andhalted their stir for the night.

On Wednesday (Feb 14), tear gas shells were fired and water sprayed from tankers on the protesting farmers who tried to cross the Shambu border

The police had even earlier in the dayresorted to firing tear gas shells todisperse the agitating farmers who were approaching the police barricade.

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Meanwhile, the authorities have suspended mobile internet services, bulk SMS and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except the voice calls in the districts Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa of Haryana Statetill February 15.

Reacting to the resumption of protests by farmers, Union Minister Arjun Munda said, "We are ready to hold discussions...We need to take into account all the sides and hold the talks...I request the farmers' union to maintain the environment for discussions. I had already said that our efforts to hold positive discussions with the farmers' union will continue."

Speaking to the media, Minister Munda said the farmer unions should not take any hasty decision that can draw criticism in the future.

"We should keep in mind all aspects and discuss this. The farmers need to ensure that normal life is not disrupted. I think no solution can be found by doing anything that creates inconvenience for the common man. Such actions only create hurdles in finding a solution. I urge them to maintain a conducive atmosphere for dialogue," the minister said.

"I will also urge the farmer unions not to get influenced by politics. The government is committed to farmers' welfare," he added.

Tight security on Delhi borders

In the wake of the protest, tight security arrangements have been made at the Tikri and Singhu Borders and the borders have been closed to prevent farmers from entering the national capital.

Also Read:Here’s how Farmer Protest 2.0 differs from the 2020 agitation: Five points

Concrete blocks, iron nails, walls of containers and multi-layer barricades have been placed at the Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri borders and security personnel in anti-riot gear have been deployed in huge numbers.

In various places, metal and concrete barricades have been placed at various points as part of the security arrangements.

Meanwhile, RAF personnel, police personnel and Riot Control Vehicles have been deployed at the Singhu Border in Delhi.

Speaking to ANI, DSP Anil Kumar said, "Currently, the atmosphere is peaceful. Traffic has been diverted. The movement of the pedestrians is normal."

The police officials are also carrying out security checks at the Shambhu border in Ambala, Haryana, on the second day of the farmers' protest.

Delhi Traffic Police issues advisory, heavy traffic snarl at border

A traffic advisory has been issued by the Delhi Traffic Policein the wake of the farmers' protest, alerting the commuters regarding restrictions on the movement of vehicles at different borders of the national capital.

In the protests held on Tuesday, many farmers suffered injuries and an alert was sounded by the Punjab government in the hospitals located in Sangrur, Patiala, Dera Bassi, Mansa and Bathinda.

Tear gas shells were dropped by the Haryana police using drones on theborders to disperse the protesting farmers and stop them from crossing the border.

Watch:Farmers protest India: Protesting farmers march to Delhi, what are their demands?

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been leading the "Delhi Chalo" agitation to pressure the central government to fulfil their demands, which include a law on minimum support price for crops and loan waivers.

(With inputs from agencies)