A meeting of farmers in Haryana’s Kheri Chopta turned violent on Friday as police fired tear gas and detained leaders. Thousands had gathered at the site after farmers’ unions and khap panchayats asked them to congregate to participate in a march towards the Khanauri border.
In response to the calls, the Hisar police deployed a substantial force with additional assistance from paramilitary units. Authorities said the increased security measures were a preventative response to maintain peace and order in the region.
However, things soon escalated after the police fired tear gas to disperse the farmers. Police then detained farmer leaders and the tension between the two sides increased further.
This resulted in an outbreak of stone-pelting by the farmers, further aggravating the already tense situation.
‘HARYANA POLICE BEHAVING LIKE GENERAL DYER’
Abhimanu Kohard, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Naujwan) President mourned the death of a farmer during clashes at the Punjab-Haryana border. He alleged that cops in civilian clothes instigated the farmers and said the Haryana Police “behaved like General Dyer”.
He told India Today TV, “Shubhkaran was someone’s son and brother. On 21 February, we appealed to farmers to maintain peace while marching to Delhi. But some cops were in civil dress and they instigated farmers. Some farmers asked them to stop, and then they used tear gas to attack the farmers. Another farmer, Pritpal, was abducted and taken to the Haryana side. They have killed four of our farmer brothers”.
Abhimanu Kohard said Shubhkaran’s body will be brought to the Khanauri border after an autopsy. “We will remember 21 Feb as Martyrdom day of Shubhkaran,” he added.
He also reiterated the farmers’ demand for a legal gurantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops.
“We just want the Prime Minister to fulfil his promise on MSP guarantee. Why are the victims of Lakhimpur Kheri not getting justice? Haryana police behaved like General Dyer. You can invoke false FIR and NSA on us, but please don’t kill farmers,” said the farmer leader.
He said the Haryana Police should bring proof if they allege that the farmers attacked them. Kohard also questioned who the people were who wore civilian clothes and broke cars and tractors.