Haryana: Karnal SDM orders brutal lathi-charge on protesting farmers

Farmers Image Courtesy:indiatoday.in

Enraged Haryana farmers blocked all of all state highways and toll plazas until 5 PM of August 28, 2021, following reports of alleged administrative efforts to brutally assault protesting farmers. The incident that occurred merely a day after the conclusion of the National Farmers’ Convention, has gained the attention of political leaders like Congress’ Rahul Gandhi.

फिर ख़ून बहाया है किसान का,
शर्म से सर झुकाया हिंदुस्तान का!#FarmersProtest #किसान_विरोधी_भाजपा pic.twitter.com/stVlnVFcgQ
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 28, 2021

On Saturday, Haryana police brutally lathi-charged farmers in Karnal on alleged orders from Sub-District Magistrate Ayush Sinha. Farmers have circulated a video where an official is directing police officers to “split open the skulls of any person who tries to cross the border.”

The video has resulted in an onslaught of rage from the farmer community, who have demanded the immediate resignation of the SDM followed by a thorough investigation.

As a show of defiance, farmers promptly responded to their leaders’ Gurnam Singh Chaduni and Rakesh Tikait’s call for a state-wide chakka jam.

#TrafficAdvisory
It is informed that Surajpur Toll Plaza (Kalka-Zirakpur Highway) has been blocked by protesting farmers. The traffic on this route is being diverted. All commuters are advised to avoid this route except in extreme emergency.#PanchkulaPolice @police_haryana
— Commissionerate of Panchkula (@CP_PANCHKULA) August 28, 2021

Through farmers’ social media channels, Chaduni spoke about how farmers at Karnal had peacefully assembled at Bastara toll, 15 km from Karnal city to protest outside the event attended by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. However, the farmers hoisting black flags were not allowed any space to protest. They eventually went out on the streets where the police attacked them. In the aforementioned video, Sinha can be heard saying that any person crossing the police barricade must suffer a head injury.

To this, Samyukta Kisan Morcha leader Yogendra Yadav said in a video, “These are law and order officials in our country? This is what happens when a scared government pushes forward the police. We are receiving reports of arrests, injuries. The SKM demands that the SDM be suspended. We will not tolerate such violence.”