Shambhu border: Farmers targeted with ‘pellet guns’ by cops?

The third day of ‘Dilli Chalo’ protests by farmers saw relative calm at the protest sites as farmer union leaders engaged in talks with the government over their demands, including a new law to ensure minimum support price for agricultural produce.    

But at Shambhu border in Haryana’s Ambala, enroute to Delhi, which was a site of high-pitched tension between police forces and farmers for two days, protesters continued to seek medical aid for injuries purportedly inflicted by “pellet guns” and “tear gas shells” earlier fired by the police. 

Many of them are seeking treatment at Rajpura Civil Hospital, while others are being administered first aid at the protest site by Khalsa Aid. Some farmers who spoke to Newslaundry, showed marks of “pellet gun-like” injuries all over their body.

The farmers claimed that more than hundred protesters have been injured in the police action. Meanwhile, at least two dozen police persons also reportedly sustained injuries. Several farmers alleged that the police were “not only firing tear gas shells but also pellet guns”.

Some protesters also alleged the use of petrol bombs. Newslaundry was unable to ascertain the claim. 

What unfolded on ground zero at the protest site?

Watch.

Update at 11.02 am on Feb 16: The headline of this video earlier quoted an allegation by protesters about the use of petrol bombs. It has been revised.

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