Farmers Movement Archive

Karnal admin makes elaborate arrangements for CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s event

KARNAL: The Karnal district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s kisan panchayat scheduled to be held on Sunday in Karnal’s Kaimla village. Amid the threat of the protest by farmers, heavy police force have been deployed for the event. Duty magistrates have also been appointed to monitor the law and order situation in the village. Karnal deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav and Karnal superintendent of police Ganga Ram Punia held a meeting with some farmer union leaders and requested them not to disturb the programme. The activists of BKU (Charuni) had announced that they would not allow the chief minister to hold the kisan panchayat. On Friday, they held a protest march in the village against the chief minister’s proposed visit, but they were stopped by the villagers and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters, leading to a face-off between them. However, on Saturday some residents of the Kaimla village have also extended support to the protesting farmers and took out a protest march against the CM visit. Deputy commissioner Yadav said, “We held a meeting with the farmer leaders and requested them not to disturb the CM’s programme and they have agreed. Strict action will be taken against those who will try to disrupt the event. Farmers are allowed to protest at Bastara toll plaza.” On the other hand, Jagdeep Singh Aulakh, a farmer leader aasoictated with BKU (Charuni) , claimed that thousands of farmers would gather at Karnal toll plaza and take out a procession towards the Kaimla village as the villagers are also against the kisan panchayat. Gharaunda MLA Harvinder Kalyan, the organiser of the event, said, “Kisan panchayat is being organised to inform the farmers about the benefits of the three agriculture laws. The farm laws are in favour of the farmers, but they are being misled by the Congress.” In the run-up to the Ambala municipal elections last month, Khattar had faced strong protest by farm activists while going to address poll meetings.

The Times of India

2021-01-10

Chandigarh