Tribune News Service

Karnal, January 10

The police on Sunday fired tear gas shells and used water cannons to disperse farmers, who were taking out a march on tractors, SUVs, cars and bikes towards Kaimla village to oppose Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s ‘kisan mahapanchayat’.

Scores of farmers entered Kaimla village, even as the police continued to use tear gas shells.

Earlier, farmers were successful in crossing the first barricade installed at Gharaunda on the Kaimla road.

Meanwhile, BJP workers, led by local MLA Harvinder Kalyan, also reached the fields near the helipad.

Karnal SP Ganga Ram Punia tried to pacify the farmers but they staged a sit-in near the second barricade as their leaders were busy discussing further strategy.

Police from surrounding districts, led by four SPs and more than 12 DSPs, have been deployed at different entry points.

The police parked trucks on the Kaimla road to prevent protesting farmers from marching towards Kaimla village where Chief Minister Khattar will address the ‘kisan mahapanchayat’.

After being stopped by the police, scores of farmers started marching on foot, leaving their vehicles behind, to cross the barricades.

Amidst the chaos, farmer leaders appealed the protestors to maintain discipline.

When the situation got out of hand, police used tear gas shells to disperse farmers who were marching towards the venue. Some farmers were successful in crossing the barricades.

To stall the farmers, the police used water cannons.

Some Kaimla villagers and residents of surrounding areas, including Kutail village of local MLA Harvinder Kalyan, earlier today extended support to the protesting farmers at the Bastara toll plaza and said they would also oppose the CM’s visit.