Farmer unions announced they would sit in front of the mini secretariat in Karnal until the district administration heeded their call for action against the government officials and the cops involved in the August 28 lathicharge.
Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait, who made the announcement after union leaders conferred over their next course of action, was among those who led protesters to the mini secretariat after talks with the administration broke down.
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“Our talks with administration failed as they did not agree to our demands,” senior farm leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan said before leaders decided to go ahead with their original plan to lay siege (gherao) to the mini secretariat.
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“Like Kauravas’ refusal to part with just five villages, the Khattar government did not even accept the minimum demands of the farmers. The government’s obstinacy has thwarted three rounds of talks,” Yogendra Yadav—who was among the leaders in the 11-member delegation that met the administration and who has been part of a joint front spearheading the larger farmer protests against three central agricultural laws— said in a tweet on Tuesday evening.
The talks lasted two hours, officials said. A 11-member delegation led the talks even as hundreds of other protesters gathered at the grain market as they heeded a call for protest against the August 28 police action.
As farmers marched on to the secretariat, police briefly detained some protesters and even used the water cannon to push them back. Yadav tweeted that police had detained farmer union leaders briefly but said later that they were all released soon.
Farmers insist on a First Information Report against IAS officer Ayush Sinha, who was the Sub-Divisional Magistrate when the incident occurred and demand action against the policemen involved in the lathicharge. A video that circulated after the lathicharge showed Sinha asking cops to “smash the heads” of protesters breaking down barricades.
हम किसान साथियों समेत लघु सचिवालय करनाल में पहुंच चुके हैं पुलिस ने हिरासत में जरूर लिया था लेकिन युवाओं के जोश के आगे पुलिस को छोड़ना पड़ा, किसान साथियों के साथ सचिवालय पर उपस्थित हूं लड़ाई जारी रहेगी#लड़ेंगे_जीतेंगे#karnal
Senior leaders of the joint farmers’ front Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), including Rakesh Tikait, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Darshan Pal, Yogendra Yadav and Gurnam Singh Charuni, were among those who lead farmers into the city.
“Karnal administration doesn’t want to listen to us farmers. Either the Khattar government must heed our demands or they should arrest us. We’re willing to court arrest,” Bharatiya Kisan Union’s Rakesh Tikait said in a tweet after talks broke down.
करनाल में सरकार किसानों की बात नहीं सुन रही। या तो खट्टर सरकार मांग माने या हमें गिरफ्तार करे। हम हरियाणा की जेलें भरने को भी तैयार-राकेश टिकैत@ANI@PTI_News@sakshijoshii#FarmersProtest
Farmer union leaders then urged the large gathering at the mahapanchayat to march peacefully towards the mini-secretariat, 5 km away.
The leaders told the farmers not to enter into any confrontation with policemen, and squat in protest wherever they are stopped.
Haryana Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni had earlier in the day appealed to the farmers to assemble at the Anaj Mandi in a peaceful manner.
However, a statement issued by Haryana Police and Karnal district administration said some people had reached the new Anaj Mandi armed with lathis and iron rods, which did not show “good intention” on their part.
“Ground intelligence reports indicate that some elements from Rambha, some from Nissing and some from other places have reached the Anaj Mandi armed with lathis, iron rods, which does not show a good intention on their part,” according to the statement.
Farmers hold protests against the August 28 police action in Karnal on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Sayeed Ahmed
Thousands of protesters walked towards the secretariat carrying farmer union flags. Several barricades have been put up on the route.
Earlier, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait told reporters that they had demanded the suspension of the IAS officer who was caught on tape allegedly telling policemen to “break heads” of protesting farmers.
Farmers hold protests outside the mini secretariat in Karnal on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Sayeed Ahmed
Rakesh Tikait, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Darshan Pal and Yogendra Yadav were among the senior Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders who had reached Karnal for the rally, being held days after a huge mahapanchayat in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar.
Farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have been protesting for months over the three farm laws enacted at the Centre, claiming that the legislation will lead to the erosion of the minimum support price (MSP) system.
Farmers hold protests against the August 28 police action in Karnal on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Sayeed Ahmed
Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav, Karnal’s Inspector General of Police Mamta Singh and Superintendent of Police Ganga Ram Punia, were among the officials who took part in the talks with farm leaders.
Addressing the mahapanchayat earlier, Yogendra Yadav said, “We have come to ask the government which Constitution, which law gives an IAS officer permission to give orders to break the farmers’ heads”.
“Under which law are police allowed to carry out brutal lathi-charge resulting in the death of one and injuries to several others,” he added.
Farmers hold protests against the August 28 police action in Karnal on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Sayeed Ahmed
The authorities have, however, denied that any farmer died due to the violence on August 28.
The Haryana Police had that day lathi-charged a group of farmers disrupting traffic on the national highway while heading towards the venue of a BJP meeting.
Over 10 protesters were injured. The SKM had said a murder case should be registered against IAS officer Ayush Sinha over his alleged “break heads” remark.
Sinha, who was later transferred in a reshuffle also involving some other IAS officers, has now been posted as the additional secretary in the Citizen Resources Information Department.
Farm leader Gurnam Singh Charuni said a meeting with district administration officials was held here on Monday as well.
After failing to get any satisfactory response on their demands the farmers decided to hold a mahapanchayat on Tuesday, he added.
He had earlier sought the registration of a case against those involved in the lathicharge.
Security arrangements had been beefed up in Karnal a day ahead of mahapanchayat and central forces deployed.
Mobile internet services were suspended in Karnal and the four adjoining districts of Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind and Panipat until Tuesday midnight. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC banning gathering of people were imposed in Karnal district.
Traffic on the Delhi-Karnal-Ambala National highway was not disrupted while the panchayat continued, officials said.
— With agencies
Highlights
20:06: Tikait announces indefinite dharna in front of mini secretariat.
19:35: Farmers’ union leaders remain firm on the demands. Karnal administration trying to pacify them. Smooth flow of traffic on NH-44.
19:15: The 11-member committee is holding a meeting outside the mini secretariat.
18:57: Gurnam Singh Charuni is sitting outside the mini secretariat.
18:25: Farmers reach the Karnal Mini Secretariat.
18:18:Water cannons used on protesting farmers near mini secretariat.
18:14: Farmers cross first the naka at Nirmal Kutiya and head towards the second naka.
17:27: Farmers in large numbers on the highway; traffic disrupted on one side.
16:51: Farmers on the service lane of the national highway, marching toward the secretariat. Traffic flow continues uninterrupted.
16:43:Farmer leaders announced they would gherao the Karnal mini secretariat; hundreds of farmers start moving towards NH-44. Heavy police deployment at the mini secretariat.
16:30: Farmer leaders remain firm on their demand for FIR against IAS Officer Ayush Sinha
16:18: Farmer leaders hold separate meetings at the grain market. Situation tense
15:42: Talks break down between Karnal administration, farmer union leaders.
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