Police use water cannon, teargas shells to stop farmers’ march to Karnal village, CM Khattar cancels rally

Up in arms against the BJP-ruled Central and state government, irate farmers on Sunday ransacked the venue of a ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ at Kaimla village in Karnal district in which Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was to address the public about the “benefits” of the newly-enacted agriculture laws.

Protesting farmers reached the venue in the afternoon and disrupted the programme. After taking control of the stage, they ransacked it, breaking chairs, tables and flowerpots besides pulling down electricity and sound cables at the venue. The programme was later cancelled.

The farmers also took control of a makeshift helipad prepared for the landing of the Chief Minister's helicopter.

Interestingly, the incident happened in the home district of CM Manohar Lala Khattar.

The PTI reported that earlier Haryana Police had used water cannons and lobbed teargas shells to prevent farmers from marching towards the village.

The programme was cancelled due to an unruly act by farmers at the behest of BKU leader Gurnam Singh Charuni, BJP leader Raman Mallik alleged.

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 three farm laws.

Under the banner of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni), farmers had earlier announced that they would 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.

Meanwhile, Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee Presidents Kumari Selja said that the BJP-JJP government of Haryana had completely lost the trust of people of the state. “By protesting at Chief Minister Manohar Lal's ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’, the state’s farmers have shown the CM a mirror. The way ‘Right to Recall’ provision has been made in the Panchayats by the Haryana government, in the same way, if such a ‘Right to Recall’ was to be adopted against the BJP-JJP government under the present circumstances, this government will not come back to power again”.

She demanded convening assembly session with immediate effect on the issue of farmers and the government should gain confidence motion.

Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala has also slammed Chief Minister Khattar for water cannons and teargas shells being used against farmers.