Tear Gas, Lathi Charge, Injuries And PILs: What Went Down On First Day Of Farmers' Delhi Chalo March

Farmers Protest News:  After a long day filled with firm resolve, unparalleled obstacles and violent chaos, the farmers suspended Delhi Chalo's march for the day, in the hope of returning tomorrow on the ways leading to the National Capital. While much of the day remained full of clashes between Haryana police and farmers, some voices of support also gathered around the protest. With traffic taking a severe hit on several key highways leading to Delhi, the police in the Union Territory also beefed up their preparedness for Wednesday.

Here are the top updates of Farmers Agitation

1. On Tuesday, farmers in the ongoing protests demanded a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP), implementation of MS Swaminathan committee recommendations, higher sugar cane prices, a Rs 10,000 monthly pension for farmers above 60, action on Lakhimpur Kheri incident, and land in Delhi for a memorial honouring past farmer protest "martyrs."

2. The Supreme Court Bar Association wrote to the apex court of the country to take suo motto action against the agitating farmers, alleging potential nuisance and disruptions to citizens' daily lives. Additionally, responding to two separate PILs, one in favour and another against, Haryana and Punjab High Court asked the parties to amicably resolve the issue.

Also Read: Farmers Protest: Villagers Along Haryana Border 'Angry' Over Inconvenience Due To Police Blockade, Traffic Diversions

3. Maintaining a strong vigil at the precarious situation which unfolded on the Punjab-Haryana border on Tuesday, Delhi police further deployed additional forces at various sensitive borders of the metro city. Heavy concrete slabs, spike strips along with barricades were strategically placed at Ghazipur, Tikri and Singhu borders. Section 144 remained enforced in key areas of Delhi on Tuesday.

4. Violent clashes erupted between police and farmers at various borders in Haryana. Protesting farmers forcibly removed the cement barricade with their tractors as they tried to cross over the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border. Police resorted to lathi-charge at several places. Rubber bullets and tear gas shells were employed to disperse the uncontrolled crowd.

5. Delhi Metro decided to close a few metro gates considering the volatile situation. A few gates were closed at the following stations as per security instructions. However, stations remained operational. Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Udyog Bhawan, Patel Chowk, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Janpath, Khan Market and Lok Kalyan Marg were impacted.

6. Many voices across the country came out in support of the farmers protest, with the grand old party Congress taking the lead. Rahul Gandhi promised to enact the MSP law as per the Swaminathan Committee report if elected to power. A group of Tamil Nadu farmers in Trichy lend support to the 'Delhi Chalo' farmers' protest.