There have been reports and video recordings of the police clashing with farmers, using batons and tear gas.
New Delhi:
Haryana Police have cracked down on farmers protesting at a toll plaza near Karnal in Haryana, ahead of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s visit to a nearby village. Cell phone footage from the scene showed police firing tear gas projectiles and water cannons at farmers trying to enter Kemla village. The Chief Minister is scheduled to attend a farmers’ meeting in the village and discuss the benefits of the Center’s three agricultural laws passed in September.
A heavy presence of police personnel has been observed in the village prior to the meeting.
Haryana, ruled by the BJP, made headlines in November when it decided to detain farmers heading to Delhi from across the state and from Punjab.
For days, there have been reports and videos of the police clashing with farmers, using batons, barricades, tear gas and water cannons.
After huge criticism, the central government had decided to carry out a huge outreach program to dispel “misconceptions” about the laws.
But over the past week, the Chief Minister’s outreach program had run into trouble in this area when farmers toughened their stance in Delhi.
On Friday, local protesters had clashed with villagers and local BJP workers, who are promoting the visit. The confrontation began when the villagers did not allow the farmers to enter the village to register their protest.
Today, Randeep Surjewala from Congress tweeted: “Respected Manohar Lal ji, stop pretending Kisan Mahapanchayat in Kaimla village. Playing with the sentiments of those who provide us with food, stop meddling in the law and order situation.”
“If you want to have a conversation, do it with those who have been protesting for the past 46 days,” read another tweet from Mr Surjewala.
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