Chandigarh: Police fired tear gas shells and deployed water cannons on Friday to prevent hundreds of Punjab farmers, affiliated with the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), from marching into Chandigarh. The protesters, determined to reach Punjab Raj Bhawan and meet Governor Gulab Chand Kataria over a range of demands, clashed with law enforcement at the Mataur barrier after being denied entry.
Escalation at the Barrier
As farmers breached barricades and pushed forward, security forces intensified their response, dispersing the crowd and detaining several participants as a preventive measure. Earlier in the day, large groups had assembled at YPS Chowk in Mohali and set out towards Chandigarh. Anticipating the march, police had sealed key routes, especially the stretch towards Sector 50 leading to the governor's residence, with heavy barricading.
Standoff and Police Action
Despite the cordon, tensions flared when farmers used tractors and iron chains to pull down barricades in an attempt to advance. The standoff quickly escalated, prompting police to use force. Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur later arrived at the scene and engaged with farmer leaders, helping to defuse the situation. The protesters eventually submitted a memorandum to a Punjab Raj Bhavan official.
Key Demands of the Farmers
Farmers reiterated several key demands, including river water distribution based on the riparian principle, scrapping of provisions of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, and a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP). They also opposed the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill 2025 and Seed Law 2025, while pressing for restoration of cooperative credit limits and assured power and canal water supply during the paddy season.
