A fresh confrontation broke out at the Mohali-Chandigarh border after security forces used tear gas shells and water cannons to stop protesting farmers attempting to march towards Chandigarh. The protest, led by several farmer organisations, once again brought traffic and normal movement in the area to a halt as tensions sharply escalated between demonstrators and the administration.
According to reports, hundreds of farmers gathered near the border barricades as part of their ongoing agitation linked to various agricultural and policy-related demands. Police and security personnel had already deployed heavy barricading and anti-riot arrangements to prevent protesters from entering Chandigarh.
As protesters attempted to move forward, police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Several dramatic scenes unfolded during the standoff, with farmers trying to push through barricades while security forces intensified efforts to contain the gathering.
Farmer leaders accused the government of suppressing democratic protests and ignoring issues related to agriculture, minimum support price and other pending demands. Protesters claimed they would continue their agitation until concrete assurances were provided by the Centre.
Authorities, meanwhile, defended the police action, stating that maintaining law and order and preventing disruption in Chandigarh remained their priority. Security was tightened across sensitive entry points connecting Mohali and Chandigarh to avoid further escalation.
The latest clash reflects the continuing strain in relations between protesting farmer groups and the government, even years after the large-scale farm law protests that had shaken Punjab, Haryana and Delhi borders.
