Tension at Singhu border as 'locals' clash with farm protesters, police fire tear gas

Police fired tear gas and resorted to baton charge Friday to break up a clash between farmers and a large group of men claiming to be local residents who hurled stones at each or at Singhu border, one of main protest sites against farm laws.

Delhi Police SHO (Alipur) Pradeep Paliwal was injured in violence after a man attacked him with a sword, an official said, adding that some people were also wounded.

official said that police detained man who attacked station house officer. group claiming to be locals demanded that farmers vacate Singhu border, one of main protest sites around capital, alleging that y had "insulted" national flag during ir tractor parade on Republic Day.

Armed with sticks, group of locals reached site and asked farmers to leave while raising slogans against m. Both sides also pelted stones at each or. protesters at Singhu border, much of which is barred for entry from outside, came out in numbers to resist locals.However, y were promptly stopped by farmer union volunteers which helped situation from turning ugly.

"y are t locals, but hired goons. y were throwing stones, petrol bombs at us. y attempted to burn down our trolleys also. We are here to resist m. We won't leave place," said Harkirat Mann Beniwal, 21, from Punjab's Khana district.

Thousands of protesting farmers had clashed with police during tractor rally called by farmer unions on January 26 to highlight ir demand for repeal of Centre's three farm laws.

Many of protesters, driving tractors, reached Red Fort and entered monument. Some protesters even hoisted religious flags on its domes and flagstaff at ramparts, where national flag is unfurled by prime minister on Independence Day.