An official said police personnel faced breathing and visibility issues.
Chandigarh:
At least 12 police personnel have been seriously injured following a clash between protesting farmers and Haryana police amid the “Delhi Chalo” march at the Data Singh-Khanauri border, an official said on Wednesday.
Taking to their social media handle, a Haryana Police official, in a video message, said on X, “The protesters surrounded the police personnel from all sides at the Data Singh-Khanauri border and burned stubble with chilli powder in it. The protesters also attacked the policemen using sticks and pelted stones. About 12 police personnel have been seriously injured.”
“The police personnel in the area faced breathing and visibility issues due to the poisonous smoke emanating from the burning stubble,” said the official in the video.
“We appeal to protesters to not resort to such activities since the poisonous smoke not only reduces visibility in the area but also hampers the efforts of the police personnel to maintain law and order. This poses a risk to both parties and also increases the chances of unfortunate accidents,” she said.
“Haryana Police appeals to the protesters to cooperate with us in maintaining law and order and maintain peace,” the official added.
Earlier in the day, Vijay Kumar, a Haryana Police sub-inspector, who was posted at the Tohana border following the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, died after his health deteriorated.
“Sub Inspector Vijay Kumar died late evening. Vijay Kumar was posted at the Tohana border during the farmers’ movement. His health suddenly deteriorated while on duty. The Director General of Police expressed grief,” the Haryana Police handle posted on X.
The force also said three police officers have lost their lives so far in the ongoing farmers’ protest.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sent an advisory to the Punjab Government asking it to maintain law and order in the wake of the farmer’s agitation, sources said on Wednesday.
The advisory was issued as the protesting farmers announced to resume their Delhi march after they rejected the Centre’s proposal to buy pulses, maize and cotton crops through government agencies at Minimum Support Price (MSP) for five years.
The MHA’s move followed a report that estimated that over 14,000 people have gathered along the Punjab-Haryana border with 1,200 tractor-trolleys, 300 cars, 10 mini-buses as well as small vehicles.
The ministry has conveyed its strong objections to the Punjab Government and raised concern about the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
