The Haryana Police on Sunday used water cannons and lobbed tear gas shells on farmers to prevent them from protesting and marching towards Kaimla village in Haryana’s Karnal district where Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was set to address a ‘kisan mahapanchayat’.
The chief minister however cancelled the meeting following the violence.
Despite all the clashes, the farmers reached the venue and disrupted the event.
They took control and ransacked the venue at Kaimla village in Haryana's Karnal district where Khattar was to address people to highlight the benefits of the Centre’s three agriculture laws.
Police had made elaborate security arrangements for the chief minister’s visit to the village where he will speak to people to highlight the benefits of the Centre's three farm laws.
They damaged the stage and broke chairs, tables and flower pots at the venue.
The farmers also took control over a makeshift helipad where the chief minister’s helicopter was to land.
The programme was cancelled due to an unruly act by farmers at the behest of BKU leader Gurnam Singh Charuni, BJP leader Raman Mallik said.
Police had made elaborate security arrangements for the chief minister's visit to the village where he was to speak to people to highlight the benefits of the Centre's three farm laws.
Police had made elaborate security arrangements for the chief minister's visit to the village where he was to speak to people to highlight the benefits of the Centre's three farm laws.
Under the banner of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni), farmers, who have been demanding that the laws be repealed, had earlier announced to oppose the ‘kisan mahapanchayat’.
Farmers were carrying black flags and shouting slogans against the BJP-led government as they attempted to march towards Kaimla village.
Police had put up barricades at the entry points of the village to prevent protesting farmers from reaching the programme venue.
The situation turned tense as farmers were adamant that they would not allow the chief minister to hold the programme.
Policemen were seen trying to pacify the agitating farmers but they went ahead to take control of the stage.
We will not allow the government to hold this programme, a protester said.
The Haryana Police had made headlines in November when it clashed with protesting farmers who were on their way to Delhi to oppose the three central farm laws.
They had used tear gas, batons, barricades and water cannons to stop the farmers’ march, but had to ultimately let them go after facing huge criticism.
Police put up barricades at the entry points of the village to prevent protesting farmers from reaching the supposed programme venue.
Thereafter, many protests have been demonstrated at the state regarding the three new farm laws, with a huge chunk of farmers travelling to Delhi to join the campaigners there.
Last month, the state police had also booked 13 farmers on various charges including attempt to murder and rioting after a group of peasants had allegedly blocked and hurled sticks at Khattar’s convoy. They had allegedly shown black flags to Khattar when his convoy was passing through Ambala City, where the CM was going to address public meetings in support of the party’s mayoral and ward candidates for the upcoming civic bodies polls.
