Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers, BJP supporters face off over CM’s programme

Karnal: Tension prevailed at Karnal’s Kaimla village as activists of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) held a protest opposing chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s proposed visit in the village on December 10. The hundreds of BKU activists, including women, assembled at Bastara toll plaza on National Highway-44 in Karnal. Jagdeep Singh Aulakh, a local leader of BKU (Charuni), led the protest. Following the meeting, they reached Kaimla village against Khattar’s kisan panchayat, alleging that when the farmers were holding protests, the chief minister’s programme proves the double standard of the ruling BJP. However, farmers were stopped by the villagers and BJP supporters before reaching the proposed venue. The situation remained tense for some time, following which farmers stepped back and sat on a dharna outside the village. Agitated farmers raised slogans against the BJP governments at the Centre and Haryana, while villagers and BJP supporters did the same in support of the saffron party. Earlier, the farmers announced to gherao local BJP MLA Harvinder Kalyan’s farmhouse, who is the organizer of the event. A heavy police force was deployed near the MLA’s residence. But later farmers changed their plan and reached the Kaimla village and started a dharna. Jagdeep Singh Aulakh a farmer leader, said, “Haryana government wants to divide the farmers by holding such an event in favour of the laws when meetings are under way between the Centre and senior farmer leaders. Hence, we will not allow Khattar to hold the programme at any cost.” “There has not been a single incidence of any disturbance by farmers since the agitation started. Farmers’ agitation has been going on very peacefully. Hence, we stepped back from Kutail village while keeping in mind the law and order,” said a farmer leader. Karnal SP Ganga Ram Punia said, “Nobody will be allowed to take the law into own hands and action will be taken against those who will try to disrupt the programme.”

The Times of India

2021-01-09

Chandigarh