Haryana police use water cannons, tear gas to disperse farmers protesting paddy procurement delay

The Haryana police used water cannons and tear gas shells to disperse a large number of farmers who tried to block National Highway-44 near Shahbad in Kurukshetra on Tuesday afternoon during a protest over the alleged delay in paddy procurement.

The farmers briefly blocked the highway around 1.30 p.m., following which the police intervened. Several farmers were injured, though Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) president Gurnam Singh Charuni said none suffered serious injuries. The road remained blocked for around 10 to 15 minutes, he said.

Kurukshetra Superintendent of Police Chander Mohan said the administration had offered to hold talks with the farmers, but they still attempted to block the highway. “We are very clear that the National Highway cannot be blocked,” he said, adding that some policemen were also injured in the clash.