Nearly 100 protesting farmers have been hospitalised with serious injuries, while three farmers have lost their vision due to pellet injuries amidst the ongoing farmers' protest, according to multiple reports.
The incident unfolded as Haryana Police deployed tear gas shells and rubber bullets on the Punjab-Haryana border to deter farmers from advancing towards Delhi.
According to officials concerned, clashes between protesting farmers and Haryana Police at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders resulted in hospitalisations due to amputations, fractures, and head injuries.
Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh confirmed the grim situation, stating that three farmers have permanently lost their eyesight from pellet injuries.
"A farmer, who sustained a serious eye injury, was referred to Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh (GMCH-32), while others are being treated at Rajindra hospital and Rajpura Civil Hospital," said Ahmed, a health official, adding that minor injuries were being addressed on-site.
An anonymous senior ophthalmologist in Patiala warned that farmers with corneal injuries from bullet pellets could face permanent blindness.
The toll of injuries stands at 250 farmers injured on the Punjab-Haryana border, as clashes intensified on Tuesday, met with tear gas and water cannons as farmers attempted to breach barricades en route to the national capital.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmers’ unions, likened the government's actions to historic exploitation, comparing it to the tactics of the East India Company.
Amid the 'Gramin Bharat Bandh' scheduled for February 16, SKM condemned what they termed as "repression unleashed by BJP-ruled Haryana and the Union government."
The SKM leadership, including Balbir Singh Rajewal, Darshan Pal, and Joginder Singh Ugrahan, announced protests against the government's crackdown on farmers. Demands include legal guarantees on Minimum Support Price (MSP), implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, farm debt waiver, and justice for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
A third round of talks between three Union ministers and farmer union leaders occurred on Thursday, with Union Minister Arjun Munda describing the discussion as positive.
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