Govt move to award cops for role in farm stir evokes sharp reactions

Ravinder Saini

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Rohtak, July 18

The state government’s decision to recommend six police officials for gallantry medals for their work during the farmers’ agitation in February this year has evoked a sharp reaction from farm outfits, among others.

The Haryana chapters of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), Haryana Khet Mazdoor Union and All India Lawyers Union have expressed strong objection over the state government’s move, terming it “undemocratic” and “anti-farmer”.

Farmers’ unions had initiated a ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation for the legal guarantee of MSP, during which they were stopped at the Shambhu (Ambala) and Khanauri (Jind) borders by the Haryana police in February.

All six recommended officials were deployed in the vicinity of the protests.

“Haryana leaders of the SKM today held an online meeting and described the BJP-led government’s act as ignominious and shameful, stating that it signifies the authoritarian and colonial mindset of the Centre. It is astonishing that the police officers’ names have been recommended for forcibly stopping the farmers at Shambhu and Khanauri borders,” said AIKS vice president Inderjit Singh.

Everyone knew what sorts of atrocities were committed on the farmers to stop them from heading towards Delhi, Singh added, stating that tear gas shells, lathi charge and firing were resorted to by the Haryana police. During this, one youngster, Shubhkaran, was shot dead and several others were injured, Singh said.

AIKS state president Master Balbir and General Secretary Sumit Dalal said the barricading of the borders was “illegal” and an “authoritarian act” of the state government.

“Despite the high court’s orders that farmers cannot be stopped from going to Delhi, the state government is not lifting the barricades from the borders and not allowing free movement of people on national highways. We appeal to all organisations and democracy-loving citizens to raise their voice and demand the revocation of this decision of the state government,” said Sumit.

Prem Singh Saini, a leader of Haryana Khet Mazdoor Union, said the move would set a dangerous precedent as the police missed no opportunity to repress genuine protests.

All India Lawyers Union state president Gurmej Singh and general secretary Kuldeep Singh have termed the state government’s decision “totally undemocratic”, demanding the immediate withdrawal of it.

Shameful, ignominious

Haryana leaders of the SKM held an online meeting on Thursday and described the BJP-led government’s act as ‘ignominious’ and ‘shameful’, stating that it signifies the authoritarian and colonial mindset of the Centre. It is astonishing that the police officers’ names have been recommended for forcibly stopping the farmers at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. — Inderjit Singh, AIKS vice-president