ALWAR/JAIPUR: The farmers’ agitation at Alwar’s Shahjahanpur turned violent on Thursday as Haryana police used tear gas shells, water cannons and lathicharged a group of agitating farmers from Hanumangarh-Ganganagar who broke the barricades and entered Haryana with around 30 tractor trolleys.
Haryana police have detained 30-40 farmers on charges of breaking barricades and damaging public property. However, Samyunkt Kisan Morcha leaders condemning the breaking of barricades said no directions were given to the farmers to move ahead. They said this was done to weaken and undermine the movement. According to police, some youths from Ganganagar and Hanumannagar got together and forcibly broke the barricades and entered Haryana with tractors.
According to police, while attempting to stop the tractors, there was a fierce clash between police and the protesters. Later, police used lathis to bring the situation under control as the matter got heated. As police lathicharged a few protesters, some of them hit back and injured some police officials.
Meanwhile, farmer leaders of Sanyunkt Kisan Morcha are on talks with the farmers who crossed over to Haryana in order to bring them back. They also appealed to the farmers to maintain peace and discipline. A large number of farmers, who crossed over to Haryana, have built tents there for their stay, said police.
“Around 26 tractors broke the barricades and moved ahead. They didn’t stop despite lathicharge and firing of tear gas shells. Samyunkt Kisan Morcha has made it clear that those who remain disciplined only they will be considered part of the farmers’ movement. Those who break discipline and try to weaken the movement are not a part of the morcha. No directions were given to break the barricades and move ahead. This was done to weaken the movement of the farmers,” said Kisan Mahapanchayat leader Ram Pal Jat.
“It has been appealed to the farmers not to cross the border breaking the barricades and to maintain peace. Farmer leaders from Ganganagar are in talks with the farmers who entered Haryana breaking the barricades. We will soon bring them to the mainstream,” he added.
Ram Pal Jat admitted to SMS
Kisan Mahapanchayat leader Ram Pal Jat was admitted to the ICU of Sawai Man Singh hospital on Thursday evening after he fell ill following a three-day hunger strike at Alwar’s Shahjahanpur border which ended on Wednesday. The farmer leader had complained of body ache and weakness this morning. The doctors have collected blood samples for various tests, said a family member.