Antil Khap to stay away from protest

Mukesh Tandon

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Panipat, February 10

The Antil Khap (a panchayat of 24 villages, most along the NH-44 in Murthal and Bahalgarh areas), has decided to stay away from the Delhi march to be organised by farmer unions on February 13.

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• A large number of youths from these villages go to Delhi in connection with their jobs and other occupations
• During the last stir, the khap suffered massive losses due to disruption in road connectivity
• Drug abuse also went up among the youth during that period

A decision to this effect was taken at an emergency meeting of the Antil Khap at Murthal village last evening. The Antil Khap had supported the farm movement last time.

Khap president Hawa Singh Antil said they suffered a big loss during the previous farm stir. The Antil khap has two barhas, namely Kurad Barha and Deepalpur Barha. Each of these barhas has 12 villages and two residents each from all 24 villages participated in the meeting.

The members unanimously decided that they would not support the farmers’ agitation. They would not block traffic on the NH-44 or allow anyone to do so, the khap president said.

Most villages under the Antil Khap are situated along the national highway from Murthal. A large number of youths from these villages go to Delhi in connection with their jobs and other occupations. During the last stir, the khap suffered massive losses due to the disruption in road connectivity, he added. Drug abuse also went up among the youth during that period, he said.