Over two lakh farmers gheraoed or surrounded the Karnal Mini Secretariat office on September 7, 2021, demanding the suspension of former SDM Ayush Sinha, who allegedly encouraged police personnel “break heads of protesting farmers” in August.
Farmers assembled at Karnal’s grain market by 10 A.M and marched to the Mini Secretariat in the face of water cannons. Since the death of farmer Sushil Kajal, present at the August 28 Karnal lathi-charge, farmers have called for murder charges against Sinha and Rs. 25 lakh as compensation to Kajal’s family. Farmers group Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) also asked for Rs. 2 lakh for each farmer injured during the incident.
Prior to the march, SKM leaders presented these same demands before the administration. However, as talks failed, peasants continued with their march. Farmers condemned how Sinha wasn’t punished for his actions and instead transferred to the District Citizen Resource Information Department (CRID) as an Additional Secretary, something the farmers deem to be a “promotion”.
“If the government had at least promised some action against Sinha, people would have felt their grievances were heard. But the government is defending him. Now, we will show people’s might. We have declared that farmers will not leave this gherao until our demands are met,” said SKM leader Jagjit Singh Dalewal.
Meanwhile, the Haryana administration passed prohibitory orders imposing Section 144 in Karnal. They also suspended internet and SMS services in five districts after noting the attendance at Muzaffarnagar mahapanchayat on September 5. Farmers claimed that 40 companies of security forces, including 10 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were stationed in Karnal.
SKM leaders Balbir Singh Rajewal, Dr Darshan Pal, Gurnam Singh Charuni, Yogendra Yadav, Rakesh Tikait and others also attended the gherao. Some leaders including Yogendra Yadav and Rakesh Tikait were briefly detained by the administration.
“Farmers stand determined and resolute, and the government cannot get away with the murder. We stand firmly behind the protest, and condemn the actions of the Haryana government,” said the SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal.
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