Tear Gas Shells Fired to Control Clashes Between Locals and Farmers at Delhi's Singhu Border - Video

10:40 GMT, 29 January 2021

Sangeeta Yadav

Advitya Bahl

Tens of thousands of Indian farmers, mainly from the Punjab and Haryana states, have been protesting at Delhi borders – Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri - since 26 November, demanding the government revoke three new farm laws that were passed in the parliament in September 2020.

Sputnik

The farmers' demonstration at Delhi's border with Singhu gained momentum on Friday when a group, claiming to be local residents, took to the streets and started throwing stones at the farmers and vandalising their tents, demanding the area be vacated.

A Sputnik correspondent at the site reported that the Delhi police fired about 30 tear gas shells and resorted to baton charging to control the clash between protesting farmers and locals.

A video filmed at the Singhu border shows hundreds of local residents clashing with police officials, shouting slogans at the farmers to return and vacate the place.

After a tremendous struggle, Delhi Police say that the situation has been brought "under control" but it remains "tense".

At Singhu Border as of now. Pic @Sushil_Verma9 @the_hindu pic.twitter.com/1Ni53VLkSj

— Nistula Hebbar (@nistula) January 29, 2021

The demonstration which has been going on for more than two months, has caused all sorts of difficulties for the many locals who commute to work and they maintain their livelihoods have been affected by it.

Mahesh Chauhan, a resident of the Palla village, told Indian newswire ANI: “The road has been blocked for more than two months now and it is causing inconvenience to all, including labourers and villages.

“We want the road cleared. Today, we have come as a relatively small group. Tomorrow, a larger number of villagers will be gathering here,” he added.

The security arrangements have been reinforced on the Singhu and Ghazipur border, with a heavy presence of local police and a militarised anti-riot Rapid Action Force (RAF).