Chandigarh, : In a robust rebuttal to an advisory issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs concerning the ongoing farmer agitation, the Punjab government has vehemently denied allegations of allowing protesters to gather at the state’s borders. The government contends that, despite over 160 individuals sustaining injuries due to various measures taken by the Haryana Police, including tear gas shells, rubber bullets, drones, and physical force, it has effectively maintained law and order.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had expressed concern about the “deteriorating” law-and-order situation in Punjab after reports of over 14,000 people assembling along the Punjab-Haryana border with 1,200 tractor-trolleys and other vehicles ahead of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on Wednesday. In response, the Punjab Chief Secretary, Anurag Verma, penned a letter on Wednesday, describing it as “completely wrong” to suggest that the state is permitting the gathering of protesters.
Mr. Verma pointed out that the farmers, en route to Delhi for a protest, were stopped at the Punjab-Haryana border due to movement restrictions. Despite the reported injuries inflicted by the Haryana Police, the letter emphasized that the Punjab government has responsibly maintained the law and order situation.
Highlighting the sensitivity required in handling protests in a border state like Punjab, the chief secretary called for greater sympathy towards the farmers. The letter also stressed that the state has played a significant role in negotiations, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann attending three out of four meetings between the Centre and the farmers. In the lone meeting he couldn’t attend, a Cabinet minister and high-ranking officials represented him.
Addressing the efforts to maintain peace and order, the letter disclosed that 2,000 policemen, including DIG-rank IPS and Provincial Police Service officers from the Punjab Police, are actively working on the ground. The government reassured that it is closely monitoring the situation and will take necessary steps as required.
Tear gas was deployed again at the Shambhu border on Wednesday as farmers attempted to march towards Delhi, pressing for their demands, including a legal guarantee for the minimum support price. The Haryana Police, facing off against the farmers armed with earth-moving machines, warned them to stand down. Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda urged farmers to return to the negotiation table for a fifth round of discussions, cautioning against “unruly elements” trying to “hijack talks” and urging protesters to remain peaceful.
