'Delhi Chalo' march: Police fire tear gas on protesting farmers, few detained

`Delhi Chalo` march. Pic/PTI

The Haryana Police on Tuesday hurled multiple rounds of tear gas shells, including through drones, at the Shambhu border near Ambala to disperse farmers marching towards Delhi. Haryana police said tear gas shells were being used to control the situation as protestors were pelting stones at police personnel.

'Delhi Chalo' is a call for a protest march towards Delhi, primarily by farmers, protesting over their demands.

Chaotic scenes were witnessed near the border as farmers deployed tractors to remove cemented blocks which had been placed as part of the barricading by the Haryana police on the Ghaggar river bridge to prevent them from marching forward, reported PTI. Farmer leaders were heard asking the protestors to use wet clothes to minimise the impact of the tear gas shells.

Protesting farmers slammed the Haryana government for hurling tear gas shells and said they were determined to march towards Delhi to press the Centre to accept their demands. The protestors were seen attempting to break the multi-layered barricades using their tractors and hand weapons.

Speaking on the protest, Sibash Kabiraj, IG, Ambala Range said, "We welcome the farmers coming from Punjab but if they travel on tractors it will create problems for the people. They can travel on buses, trains or foot. If they come on tractors, we will not allow them. Section 144 has also been imposed," he added, reported ANI.

Meanwhile, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced has announced that multiple gates may be closed as per security instructions in the wake of the farmer's Delhi Chali march. The historic Red Fort complex has also been temporarily closed for visitors due to security reasons, a senior official said, reported PTI.

Security in Delhi has been intensified with multi-layer barricades, concrete blocks, iron nails and walls of containers at border points to stop a 'Delhi Chalo' march of farmers from entering the national capital. Section 144 has also been imposed in New Delhi.

Farmers on Tuesday morning commenced their 'Delhi Chalo' march to press for their demands, after a meeting with two Union ministers over their demands, including legal guarantee to MSP for crops, remained inconclusive. The protesting farmers have 12 demands, including the enactment of a law to guarantee a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

(With PTI and ANI Inputs)