Journalism of Courage
Farmers from across several districts of Haryana and the neighbouring states continue to camp outside the mini-secretariat in Karnal, demanding action against IAS officer Ayush Sinha, who had ordered a police lathi-charge on a group of protesting farmers last month. (Express photo)
The second round of talks between the protesting farmers and the Karnal administration broke down on Wednesday after a deadlock over the demand for Ayush Sinha’s suspension. (Express photo)
The protesting farmers have said their protests would continue till their demands are met. Farmers in different parts of the country have been protesting against the new farm laws since last year (Express photo)
The Haryana government has extended the ban on mobile internet and SMS services in Karnal in the wake of the ongoing farmers' protests. (Express photo)
Addressing the gathering, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait on Wednesday said that CM M L Khattar wants to shift the agitation from the Delhi border to Karnal. “We have surrounded Delhi from five sides. A large number of people there are from Haryana. We must understand the CM’s ploy and continue our mobilisation on Delhi borders,” he said.
Rakesh Tikait also said that the farmers have no grouse against the police. “Last night, the cops also slept here with us. Our enemy is not present here. And we must be careful of his machinations. Tikait stressed that the farmer agitation is peaceful. “Haryana farmers are krantikari. They are the strength of our agitation,” he added. (Express photo)
The place where the farmers are camping is just 3 km away from the CM's residence. As many as 40 companies of the security forces, including CAPF and BSF, have been deployed in Karnal, especially around the secretariat. (Express photo)
In the evening, the farmers started setting up “pakka morcha” (permanent structures) with iron frames and waterproof covers. Gurjant Virk, who had received injuries on his nose in the police lathicharge and has complained of partial loss of vision, said, “Today, I was discharged from the hospital after 10 days and I came to the dharna venue instead of going home. I will not go home till the farmers' demands are met.” (Express photo)
