New Delhi: Protesting farmers on Sunday took control and ransacked the venue of the ‘kisan mahapanchayat’ programme at Kaimla village in Haryana’s Karnal district where chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar was to address people to highlight the benefits of the Centre’s three agriculture laws.
The Haryana police had earlier used water cannons and lobbed teargas shells to prevent farmers from marching towards the village.
However, farmers eventually managed to reach the venue and disrupted the ‘kisan mahapanchayat’ programme. Cellphone footage from the event reportedly showed many protesters on the dais, shouting, throwing down chairs and tearing up posters.
The farmers also took control over a makeshift helipad where chief minister’s helicopter was to land.
The programme was cancelled due to an unruly act by farmers at the behest of BKU leader Gurnam Singh Charuni, BJP leader Raman Mallik said.
Police had made elaborate security arrangements for the chief minister’s visit to the village where he was to speak to people to highlight the benefits of the Centre’s three farm laws.
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Under the banner of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni), farmers, who have been demanding that the laws be repealed, had earlier announced that they would oppose the ‘kisan mahapanchayat’.
Farmers were carrying black flags and shouting slogans against the BJP-led government as they attempted to march towards Kaimla village.
Police had also erected barricades at the entry points of the village to prevent protesting farmers from reaching the programme venue.
We will not allow the government to hold this programme, a protester said.
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala slammed Chief Minister Khattar for using water cannons and teargas shells against farmers.
“Respected Manohar Lal ji, please stop this pretence of Kisan Mahapanchayat in Kaimla village. By playing with the sentiments of those who provide us with food, please stop meddling with the law and order situation,” Surjewala had previously tweeted.
(With inputs from PTI)