New Delhi: Ahead of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s visit to a nearby village, the Haryana police have cracked down on protesting farmers at a toll plaza near Haryana’s Karnal. Cellphone footage from the spot showed police firing tear gas shells, water cannons at farmers who are trying to enter the Kemla village.
Despite being stopped by the police, the farmers have also broken the stage at the venue. Banners installed around the same have also been torn down. In view of this fierce demonstration of farmer organizations, the crowd present at the venue has also run away.
Hundreds of farmers have gathered at the venue and are raising slogans to repeal ‘Black Farm Laws’. A large number of farmers stood on the highway carrying black flags. Later, when they started marching towards the rally venue, the got into a clash with the police tear gas shells were hurled upon them. Police resorted to lathi cahrge when the situation seemed out of control. Some farmers had to hide in the fields to escape.
The Chief Minister is scheduled to attend a farmers’ gathering at the village and speak of the benefits of the Centre’s three farm laws passed in September. According to sources, the CM’s visit is likely canceled.
Heavy presence of police personnel has been observed at the village ahead of the meeting.
BJP-ruled Haryana had made headlines in November when it decided to stop the farmers on their way to Delhi from across the state as well as those in Punjab.
