Police run tear gas mock drill at Shambhu border ahead of farmers' protest

Police conducted a tear gas mock drill at the Punjab-Haryana border at Shambhu in Ambala district, ahead of farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest on February 13. The state borders have already been sealed in Ambala, Jind, and Fatehabad districts to stop the marching farmers.

Delhi Police has also intensified security along the Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri borders as almost 20,000 farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are headed to the national capital with several demands, including a law guaranteeing a minimum support price for their produce.

Large gatherings are banned across Delhi under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code for 30 days till March 12.

Centre has reached out to farmer leaders for a second round of talks to address their concerns. Junior Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, junior Home Minister Nityanand Rai and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will hold a meeting with the union leaders.

The Centre had committed to guarantee MSP in 2021, when farmers agreed to withdraw their agitation against the now-repealed farm laws. The protest seeks to hold the government to its promise.

The farmers are also demanding implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm labourers and loan waivers.