Tear gas

13 Feb 2024

In power

BJP — Haryana

Acted

Police, Haryana

From 13 February Haryana Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets, and used water cannon, to stop farmers at the Shambhu border near Ambala, including when farmers tried to remove the barricades. Al Jazeera and The Tribune reported that drones were used to drop tear gas shells. The Ambala Deputy Commissioner said only tear gas and rubber bullets were used. Farmers alleged that police also fired pellets; Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur told The Hindu that police did not use pellet guns and that their procedure was tear gas, water cannon, cane charge and then rubber bullets fired at the ground. The Punjab government said three farmers had lost their eyesight to pellet injuries. A Supreme Court order of September 2024 records allegations that the agitators had gathered with weapons and modified tractors, and that the agitation was marred by violence on 13, 14 and 21 February. Injury counts differ (see figures). [2][5][3][6][4][1][7]

• around 200 people seriously injured, including by pellet guns, said Amrik Singh, farm union member (to The Hindu) [6]
• over 50 people in hospital with rubber bullet and smoke shell injuries, said Sukvindra Kaur, protester (to Al Jazeera) [2]
• 3 farmers who lost their eyesight to pellet injuries, said Punjab government (as reported by Al Jazeera) [3]
• 15,000-20,000 agitators gathered near the Shambhu border at the start, said allegation recorded in the Supreme Court order of 2 September 2024 [7]

Draft. Written with AI help from the sources listed. Not yet checked by a person. 2 claims are held back until sourced. Report an error