Sangrur Farmers Protest: Several Injured Amid Protest Against Gujarat Gas Pipeline
Sangrur Farmers Protest: In a tense situation in Punjab, farmers protesting against the Gujarat gas pipeline project clashed with police in Sangrur district. The incident took place on December 2, 2024, when farmers traveling towards Leleana village, near Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda, were intercepted by the police during a roadblock in Mansa.
It has been reported that when police set up barricades preventing farmers from marching towards their destination, the farmers and the police got into a scuffle over not backing down. At this point, as things had taken a turn, police used lathi charge on the crowd to scatter. In return, the crowd of farmers used sticks to attack the police while inflicting injuries on the farmers as well.
The violent clash left a few police officers and farmers with injuries. The protesting farmers damaged police vehicles to such an extent that the already brewing conflict turned into a full-scale mess. This incident demonstrates increasing tensions between farmers and authorities in Punjab, particularly related to the protest against infrastructure projects considered detrimental to their farm work.
According to local reports, the police were caught off guard by the intensity of retaliation from the farmers, who were determined to express their opposition to the gas pipeline. The Gujarat gas pipeline project, which has been a source of contention for many in Punjab, has witnessed numerous protests and public opposition because of the environmental impact it is going to have and its effect on the local agriculture.
Farmers have complained that, due to the construction of pipelines, their agricultural activities might be faced with land disputes and add to the already stress-filled struggles with climate and the market. The local administration has refused to give comments on this situation. However, the severity of this situation is expected to flare up an already ongoing discussion on pipeline projects in that region.
