Violence erupts as farmers attempt to break barricades at Shambhu Border; Police deploy tear gas

Farmers attempted to breach multi-layered barricades at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana, prompting the Haryana police to respond with tear gas shells in an effort to halt their advance. The clash left several protesters injured, with two reported to be in critical condition, adding to the tensions following the death of a 24-year-old protester in a previous clash.

Escalation at Borders

The situation escalated as farmers sought to resume their march towards the national capital, demanding a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) for their crops. Despite appeals for calm from both Punjab and Haryana police, confrontations ensued, resulting in injuries and chaos at the Khanauri border.

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Continued Protests and Calls for Dialogue

Farm leaders reiterated their commitment to continue protesting until their demands are met, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in finding a resolution. Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda expressed the government's willingness to engage in a fifth round of talks with the protesters to address their grievances. The resumption of the 'Delhi Chalo' march comes after the rejection of the Centre's proposal on MSP purchase, which failed to satisfy the farmers' demands. The ongoing standoff underscores the deep-seated discontent among farmers and their determination to secure concessions from the government, including a legal guarantee of MSP, pension benefits, and farm loan waivers.

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