'Makeshift Tanks', Iron Sheets: Farmers' Plan To Cross Haryana Border
NDTV
Concrete barriers, barbed wires and large shipping containers are part of the multi-layer blockade by the administration.
The protesting farmers from Punjab have rejected the Centre's proposal to buy three types of pulses, maize and cotton at the old MSP and their march to Delhi will continue tomorrow. The police and paramilitary forces have geared up to stop the convoy with multi-layer fortifications at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana and other checkpoints that lead to the national capital.
Concrete barriers, barbed wires and large shipping containers are part of the multi-layer blockade by the administration. The cops have cemented nail strips on the highway to stop the movement of tractors and other vehicles by the farmers. Four years ago, farmers in large numbers had camped at various Delhi borders for months and the cops, anticipating a similar scenario, had taken such measures.
The farmers have created a makeshift "tank" to counter the measures and continue their 'Dilli Chalo' march. The first day of the protest saw intense protests, with tear gas shells fired by the police to disperse the farmers. Their resourceful approach includes a JCB Poclain Machine, used for digging and excavation, mounted on a tractor, with the operator cabin covered with iron sheets to protect the person from tear gas shells and rubber pellets. The protesting farmers believe the tear gas shells and rubber pellets will be ineffective in front of the "iron shield". The operator cabin of the JCB has a small grill for the handler to see.
