Full Breakdown
Haryana Farmers’ Highway Blockade and Police Dispersal Over Early Paddy Procurement
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Core Event: Police Use Water Cannons and Tear Gas to Disperse Farmers Blocking NH-44
On September 22, farmers under the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) blocked National Highway-44 near Shahabad, Kurukshetra, demanding an advance of the paddy procurement start. When demonstrators breached barricades and entered the road, police deployed water cannons and tear-gas shells. Traffic was halted for about 10–15 minutes; several farmers and a few policemen were injured before normal flow resumed.
Background & Context
The Haryana paddy procurement season is slated for October 1–November 15, 2026. Last year’s procurement began on September 22, prompting this year’s demand for an earlier start because “more than two lakh quintals” of paddy have already arrived in mandis, with “eight to ten lakh quintals” still pending. The state wrote to the Centre on September 15 requesting an advance to September 20. Farmers initially sought procurement from September 15, later agreeing to a September 22 deadline after a panchayat meeting on September 16.
Data & Statistics
- Paddy arrivals: > 200,000 quintals reported; up to 1,000,000 quintals may already be in mandis (Charuni).
- Registered acreage: 24 lakh acres on the Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal; 19.34 lakh acres verified via satellite.
- MSP for Kharif 2026-27: Rs 2,441 per quintal (common paddy), Rs 2,461 per quintal (Grade A).
- Moisture limits: Procurement requires <= 17 % moisture; farmers request an increase to 20 % (Bhadur Singh Mehla).
Official Statements & Responses
- Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena met farmer leaders for 90 minutes, saying the state has sent a request to the Centre for early procurement and “approval is expected anytime soon.” He added that the state would begin procurement around September 25 if central approval is delayed.
- State officials cited quality and moisture requirements as reasons for the scheduled timeline, warning that freshly harvested paddy may exceed the 17 % limit.
Criticism & Opposition
- All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), Haryana condemned the police action, accusing the government of “deliberately delaying procurement” and imposing “various conditions on farmers.” AIKS leaders highlighted limits on individual procurement quantities and portal difficulties, warning that without procurement farmers would be forced to sell below MSP.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Injury reports: Charuni said none of the injured farmers suffered serious injuries, while police reports mention “several farmers” and “a couple of policemen” injured. Exact numbers remain unclear.
- Procurement start date: Farmers demand an immediate start; the state has pledged a possible start around September 25 pending central approval, with no definitive confirmation yet.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The produce of farmers is lying in mandis. Farmers are being forced to wait in the absence of procurement by government agencies at minimum support prices (MSP),” — Gurnam Singh Charuni, president
- “Moisture limit should be increased to 20%. Such attempts at checking moisture at entry gates would lead to losses for farmers,” — Bhadur Singh Mehla, spokesperson, BKU (Sir Chhotu Ram)
What's Next
The state expects central approval for early procurement “anytime soon.” If delayed, it plans to commence procurement at the state level around September 25. Farmers have announced a continued dharna on Barara Road and are calling for additional unions to join the agitation.