Karnal violence: Haryana police claim farmers resorted to stone pelting first

Tribune News Service  

Chandigarh, August 28  

Haryana Police on Saturday issued a statement, claiming that it was the farmers who first resorted to pelting stones.  

Explaining chronology of events, ADGP (Law and Order) Navdeep Virk, in a video statement, said, “Around 12 noon, farmers who were present at Bastara toll plaza blocked the Karnal highway. They tried to leave for Karnal city. When the cops tried to stop them, they turned violent.”

He added, “Some protesters pelted police with stones and some attacked them with spade.” 

As per law, mild force was used to remove them from that place, he said. “A total of four farmers have been injured along with 10 cops.” 

He said on June 7 this year, SKM leaders at Tohana had assured that they would never resort to violent means, but still many incidents had taken place after that where they had resorted to violence.  

“It is the duty of the police force to maintain law and order when a protest goes violent.”