Kisan Mahapanchayat: Security beefed up, internet services snapped in Karnal

Unprecedented security has been beefed up and internet services have been suspended in view of the Kisan Mahapanchayat in Karnal district on Tuesday to protest the August 28 lathicharge on farmers.

New Delhi: Farmer leaders Rakesh Tikait and Yogendra Yadav have reached Karnal to participate in the Kisan Mahapanchayat even as unprecedented security has been beefed up and Internet services have been suspended in view of the Kisan Mahapanchayat in Karnal district on Tuesday to protest the August 28 lathicharge on farmers.

The Karnal administration has expressed concern about anti-social elements in 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' joining the site with sticks and flags. The Karnal administration has issued an advisory in this matter.

As per the administration, concerning the Kisan Mahapanchayat in Karnal, on 07 September 2021, ground intelligence reports have indicated that some elements armed with sticks, iron rods etc, have reached the grain market from Rambha, some from Nissing, and some other places and their intentions do not appear to be good. Police and administration have spoken to those farmer leaders who tried to persuade such elements to leave the venue but they are not listening to their leaders.

A government spokesman said there might be disruption to public safety, law and order and the move is aimed at curbing the misuse of SMS and social media "that may lead to the spread of rumours which have a clear potential to cause damage to public property and facilities."

The Secretary of the state's home department issued the order based on Rule-2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017.

"District administration and police have made necessary security arrangements in wake of the Kisan Mahapanchayat. A total of 40 companies have been deployed to maintain law and order. Public activities are going on without interruption," said Ganga Ram Punia, SP, Karnal. Internet and SMS services have been suspended in Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind and Panipat too.

Haryana Police said in view of law and order situation in Karnal owing to mahapanchayat of farmers, the traffic might be hampered and advised the motorists to avoid travelling on the national highway (NH) 44 between Delhi and Ambala.

The traffic bound for Delhi from Ambala is likely to be diverted from Pipli in Kurukshetra. Likewise, the traffic to Ambala from Delhi will be diverted from the Pepsi Bridge in Panipat.

"We want Kisan Mahapanchayat to be conducted peacefully and conflict to be resolved through mutual conversation. We spoke with farmer leaders yesterday on the matter. Police will take action if law and order is disturbed," said Ganga Ram Punia, SP, Karnal.

However on Monday, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Haryana) president Gurnam Singh Chaduni told the media in Karnal, "There is no outcome from the meeting with the Karnal administration. We will 'gherao' the mini-secretariat as per our plan."

The protesting farmers have been demanding action against the IAS officer who ordered police action on August 28, and those policemen who were involved in the lathicharge on the protesting farmers.

They have also sought a compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a government job to the next of kin of Sushil Kajal, a farmer from Gharunda who received head injuries in the lathicharge and died later owing to a heart attack.

The farmers further demand compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the wounded persons.

The Kissan Morcha has said that the Haryana government is now left with only one tactic to defame the farmers' protest by inciting violence anyhow. "We will not allow any type of violence in our protest," said the Morcha.

The Morcha has appealed to farmers to maintain peace under all circumstances and don't allow any kind of violence.

Meanwhile, the district administration has already imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in Karnal, banning the assembly of the public.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Navdeep Singh Virk said the Ambala-Delhi highway might see some traffic disruptions in the Karnal district.

"The general public using NH 44 are advised to avoid journey through Karnal town and use alternate routes to go to their destinations on September 7," he said.

"All citizens are being informed about these arrangements in advance so that they are able to plan and modify their journey to avoid any inconvenience," he added.