Haryana’s chief minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, is likely to cancel his kisan mahapanchayat program in Karnal after farmers who oppose the Center’s three agricultural laws uprooted tents and damaged the scene there.
About 100 farmers marched on Sunday to the helipad in the village of Kaimla, where Khattar was scheduled to land. More than 1,500 police officers have been deployed as security for the meeting and seven checkpoints were established before the venue.
Farmers protest against Haryana CM @mlkhattar intensified before his arrival for Mahapanchayat in Karnal today. The protesters captured the scene and said they were ready to confront the police. Event canceled. Express video: @ JasbirMalhi1 | Reports: @SiwachSukhbir @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/WNR5FOMzEN
– Punjab Express (@iepunjab) January 10, 2021
Agitated farmers, however, managed to pass six checkpoints and came close to the helipad. The police had to resort to minor lathi charges against the farmers. Water cannons and tear gas were also used, but to no avail. The landing site of the Khattar helicopter was moved to a different location due to the breach in security.
Around 2,000 farmers, most of them BJP workers, had arrived for the kisan mahapanchayat. There was a heavy police presence at the scene, with ADGP-ranking officers bypassing security arrangements.
Farmers vandalize the stage before Khattar’s visit.
Several senior BJP and JJP leaders have faced protests during their public appearances in recent days. In one such incident, Khattar’s cavalcade was also obstructed by an agitated mob of farmers in Ambala a few days ago. Previously, Interior Minister Anil Vij’s cavalcade had also hit a blockade when angry farmers shouted anti-government slogans.
Several others, including MP CM Dushyant Chautala, Agriculture Minister JP Dalal, Education Minister Kanwar Pal, and various BJP MPs, had faced protests of this kind outside their residences in their respective constituencies and also at their public appearances. .
The protesting farmers also damaged the helipad.
After Khattar’s cavalcade was obstructed, then-SP Rajesh Kalia of Ambala was diverted from the district.
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Farmers also disrupted the BJP program in Barwala, resulting in immense chaos on Saturday. The farmers had previously announced that they would not allow any BJP or JJP leaders to hold their scheduled public events statewide unless all three farm laws are repealed.
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