• Source:JND
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Farmers’ Delhi Chalo March: The protesting farmers have called off their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march for today (December 14) after the police used tear gas to disperse the protesters, resulting in 17-18 injuries. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher confirmed that both forums have decided to withdraw the 'jatha' for the time being.

"Both the forums have decided to withdraw the 'jatha' today. We are hearing that 17-18 people have been injured. We will hold a PC after some time and inform about further action." Sarwan Singh Pandher was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

A group of 101 farmers resumed their foot march towards Delhi from the Shambhu border today continuing their protest to urge the Centre for various demands, particularly a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). However, their march was halted by police forces stationed at the Shambhu border. 

Ambala's Superintendent of Police (SP) informed the farmers that they needed prior permission from the authorities to proceed towards Delhi. In response to the protest, the police deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the farmers at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border.

This was the third attempt by farmers to march towards the national capital since December 6. Previously, on December 6 and 8, security forces in Haryana had prevented their ‘Dilli Chalo’ march. 

Earlier in the day, Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher hit out at Haryana Police and asked how the protesting farmers are dangerous for the country. Speaking to the news agency ANI, Pandher said, “We want farmers from all over the country to raise their voice, if they do so, then all these things including tear gas will be stopped and we will be allowed to go to Delhi and our demands will be fulfilled. Haryana Police is misleading the public. How can 100 people walking on foot be dangerous for the country?”

The Haryana government suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 12 villages of Ambala until December 17, aiming to curb the spread of misinformation.

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The affected villages include Dangdehri, Lehgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Choti Ghel, Lharsa, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar (comprising Hira Nagar and Naresh Vihar), Saddopur, Sultanpur, and Kakru.

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Meanwhile, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border for 19 days now. The Supreme Court bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan has directed the Centre and Punjab government representatives to persuade him to end fast and provide medical aid.

On Friday, senior leaders of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) met the protesting farmers of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal. The meeting took place at Khanauri, located on the Punjab-Haryana border.

Rakesh Tikait, a leader of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), also met Dallewal, in Khanauri. During the meeting, Tikait emphasized the need for farmer unions to unite again for a collective struggle.

The protesting farmers have called off their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march for today (December 14) after the police used tear gas to disperse the protesters, resulting in 17-18 injuries. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher confirmed that both forums have decided to withdraw the 'jatha' for the time being.

"Both the forums have decided to withdraw the 'jatha' today. We are hearing that 17-18 people have been injured. We will hold a PC after some time and inform about further action." Sarwan Singh Pandher was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.