The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Chandigarh): The Punjab government has raised objections against the Haryana Police for deploying drones to drop tear gas shells in Punjab’s territory. This action was taken by the Haryana Police to prevent protesting farmers from entering the state. Patiala Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmed sent a letter to his Ambala counterpart, Shaleen, asking the Haryana civil administration to avoid such actions and limit them within Haryana’s territory.
Responding to this objection, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij expressed surprise over Punjab’s notice against the use of drones near their border. He interpreted this as Punjab’s support for the farmers to potentially cause unrest in Delhi. He noted that although the farmers intended to have discussions in Delhi, their leaders refused dialogues in Chandigarh.
Minister Vij criticized the Punjab government for not attempting to stop the farmers when they started moving from Amritsar, alleging that Punjab intended for the farmers to create chaos in Delhi. He reported that one DSP and 25 other police officers were injured due to stone-pelting incidents.
The situation on the inter-state borders between Punjab and Haryana remained tense, with a significant security presence on the second day of the protests. The protesting farmers, representing over 200 farmer unions, are determined to reach the national capital to protest unfulfilled demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP) of crops. They are also demanding a waiver of farm loans and the dropping of criminal cases against those protesting the farm laws.
Clashes between police and farmers resulted in the use of tear gas and subsequent stone-pelting, leading to injuries on both sides. The farmers’ protest remains a critical issue, highlighting the ongoing struggle between the agricultural community and government policies.