Protest Farmers clash with police in march to Delhi against farm laws, tear gas used
New Delhi/IBNS: Thousands of farmers clashed with Haryana police at the border of Delhi as they were carrying out a protest march to the national capital against the new contentious farm laws, media reports said.
In a dramatic visual, farmers from Punjab were seen throwing police barricades into the river as they were attempting to enter Haryana.
Police were forced to use tear gas and water cannons at the farmers.
One of the protesters told an English news channel, "We are protesting because the government is torturing us."
The massive march has coincided with a bandh (strike) called by the Left protesting against a number of issues including the farm laws on Thursday.
Reacting to the police's action on farmers, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "The three farm bills (laws) of the central government are anti-farmers. Instead of withdrawing the bills, attempts have been made to stop the peaceful protest by the farmers and water canons have been used at them. This crime on farmers is absolutely wrong. Farmers have the right to hold peaceful protests."
केंद्र सरकार के तीनों खेती बिल किसान विरोधी हैं। ये बिल वापिस लेने की बजाय किसानों को शांतिपूर्ण प्रदर्शन करने से रोका जा रहा है, उन पर वॉटर कैनन चलाई जा रही हैं। किसानों पर ये जुर्म बिलकुल ग़लत है। शांतिपूर्ण प्रदर्शन उनका संवैधानिक अधिकार है।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 26, 2020
Political activist Yogendra Yadav tweeted, "Barricades put up, Water Cannons used, Illegal Arrests made on eve of Constitution Day as farmers were coming to Delhi to ask for their Constitutional Rights. Govt should remember that people are supreme in a democracy and in the end they will prevail."
Barricades put up, Water Cannons used, Illegal Arrests made on eve of Constitution Day as farmers were coming to Delhi to ask for their Constitutional Rights.
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) November 26, 2020
Govt should remember that people are supreme in a democracy and in the end they will prevail.#FarmersDilliChalo pic.twitter.com/xXw4fQouIT
The Centre's new farm laws will now allow farmers to sell their produce to institutional buyers beyond the regulated wholesale market.
However, farmers and opposition leaders criticised the Centre's move stating small peasants will have little bargaining power while selling their produce to institutional buyers, running the risk of getting exploited.
The laws (then bills) had also left the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) red-faced as its ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had left the ruling national coalition on the issue.
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