Farmers Movement Archive

Haryana min calls for restraint by cops, protesters

Chandigarh: Taking lesson from the lathicharge on protesting farmers in Pipli of Kurukshetra district on Thursday, the Haryana home department on Saturday asked the cops down the line to exercise restraint while dealing with agitating farmers and their representatives. The directive comes in the wake of announcement by farm body Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) to hold a three-hour agitation on the roads in the state on Sunday to press for their demand of withdrawal of the three bills related to the agriculture sector. Various opposition parties, like AAP, Congress and INLD, have also supported the farmers on the issue demanding their immediate withdrawal or halting the process to pass the bills in the Parliament. Haryana home minister Anil Vij has asked the farmers to not block the national or state highways. “Demonstration and protests are a right, but the farmers are requested to ensure that they do not block roads and hold peaceful protests only,’’ said Vij in a statement. On the other hand, home secretary Vijai Vardhan has also issued a set of instructions to all the district magistrates as well as policemen across the state. The order has asked the senior cops and other functionaries of the districts to reach out to the representatives of agitating groups to persuade them to not come on the roads or highways. Besides advising the use of IT gadgets, the cops and officers have also been asked to exercise maximum restraint in dealing with the farmers. “The protesters be dealt with tact and patience. However, they should not be allowed to take law in their hands and prompt action be taken against those found to be indulging in arson, loot or damage to public property or lives,’’ the order read. The district administrations have also been directed to ensure the presence of ambulance and backup support of medico and para-medicos on the highways, where congregation of agitators is expected.

The Times of India

2020-09-20

Chandigarh