December 6, 2024: Tensions escalated at the Shambhu border in Haryana on Friday as police clashed with farmers who resumed their protest and attempted to march towards Delhi. The farmers, who have been camping at the border for over nine months, broke through initial barricades and were met with tear gas and heavy security measures by the Haryana Police. One farmer was detained during the confrontation.

The farmers, organized under the banners of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops. They also seek further engagement with the government on their grievances, which led to several rounds of negotiations earlier in the year. Despite four rounds of talks, no breakthrough had been reached.

A group of 101 farmers, led by prominent leaders including Surjit Singh Phool, Satnam Singh Pannu, Savinder Singh Chautala, Baljinder Singh Chadiala, and Manjit Singh, began their march towards Parliament at 1 pm, carrying flags of their unions and the national tricolour. However, their movement was obstructed after they breached an initial layer of barricades. Heavily fortified with concrete blocks, iron nails, and barbed wire, the barriers, along with additional police reinforcements, prevented further progress.

The Shambhu and Khanauri borders, located between Haryana and Punjab, have been the epicenter of the farmers’ protests since February. Despite earlier attempts to march towards Delhi on February 13 and 21, security forces had successfully prevented their movement by blocking the highways with barricades and heavy security presence.

As the farmers resumed their protests, Haryana Police responded by placing additional barricades and maintaining a heightened security posture to ensure that the farmers did not break through to the national capital.

The government, which has been in dialogue with the farmers since last year, expressed willingness to continue talks. A spokesperson reiterated that the government remains open to discussions aimed at addressing the farmers' concerns, although no immediate offer for negotiation was announced on Friday.

While farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, a key figure in the ongoing protest, was present at the site, he was not part of the group that attempted to march. The standoff at the Shambhu border remains tense as the farmers vow to continue their struggle for fair prices and the legal guarantee of MSP for their crops.