Khattar cancels talks as farmers ransack venue in Karnal

Karnal : Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had to cancel the scheduled ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ programme after an alleged group of protesting farmers ransacked the venue in Karnal on Sunday. The scene became chaotic as the police used teargas shells and water canons to disperse the crowd.

In the TV footage, the protesting farmers were seen crossing the barricades forcibly and using black flags as sign of opposition to the gathering. The farmers also took control over a makeshift helipad where chief minister’s helicopter was to land.

The authorities later canceled the program and tagged unruly behavior of farmers as the reason behind their decision.

“What was the need to hold ‘mahapanchayat’ when thousands of farmers have been sitting at the borders of Delhi for the past 45 days, demanding to revoke the farm laws,” a protesting farmer said.

Meanwhile, Congress attacked Manohar Lal Khattar and slammed him for using water canons on the farmers.

“Respected Manohar Lal ji, please stop this pretense of Kisan Mahapanchayat in Kaimla village. By playing with the sentiments of those who provide us with food, please stop meddling with the law and order situation”, the Congress leader tweeted.

He added,”If you want to have a conversation, have it with those who have been protesting for the last 46 days.”

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