On Sunday, anti-farm law protestors ambushed the Kisan Mahapanchayat programme in Karnal, where Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar was supposed to address a large gathering of 2000 farmers.
As per reports, a total of 1500 police and security personnel were deployed for the event and 7 checkpoints were put in place to stop the incoming protestors. The police had blocked all roads leading to the Kaimla village using trucks laden with construction material but the plan failed. The protestors first gathered near Bastara toll plaza in Karnal on the Delhi-Chandigarh Highway before making their way to the village.
Karnal: Helipad damaged, venue vandalised in Kaimla village where Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar was scheduled to hold Kisan Mahapanchayat today. Protesting farmers had gathered here & were dispersed by Police, using tear gas shells.
— ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2021
CM’s Kisan Mahapanchayat has been cancelled. https://t.co/xDTHDqtFA2 pic.twitter.com/1WyqGD4UGm
Protestors destroy helipad meant for CM’s landing
It is important to mention that the police were outnumbered by the anti-farm law protestors. They were successful in breaching 6 checkpoints and reaching the helipad in Kamila village where the CM was supposed to land. The mob was seen digging up the interlocking tiles and vandalising the helipad, thereby forcing authorities to find an alternate site for the CM’s landing.
Farmers have dug up the interlocking tiles which formed the helipad where Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar was to land in a Karnal village pic.twitter.com/7OzpQCOjKf
— Man Aman Singh Chhina (@manaman_chhina) January 10, 2021
Protestors breach security to vandalise the venue
Meanwhile, the police had to fire tear gas shells, water cannons and resort to lathi-charge to disrupt the unruly mob. However, the protestors soon broke through the police ranks to reach the venue where the Kisan Mahapanchayat programme was scheduled to be held. In a bid to oppose the newly enacted farm laws, they vandalised the venue, tore down banners and flung the chairs. The anti-farm law protestors tore down the tents, forcing Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar to cancel the event.
Farmers breaking through police ranks at the venue of Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s rally in Karnal. pic.twitter.com/yIZeRlQpgT
— Man Aman Singh Chhina (@manaman_chhina) January 10, 2021
Besides damaging the venue, they also got into a scuffle with the organisers of the event. The farmers, who were waiting in anticipation of the Chief Minister, tried to stop the protestors but failed. The Kisan Mahapanchayat programme was meant to generate support for the farm laws and mitigate the genuine fears amongst a section of farmers. However, the protestors have accused the BJP leadership in the State of dividing the farmers by organising such meetings.
