Haryana CM Khattar Defends Lathicharge On Farmers, Chautala Condemns SDM's 'Crack The Head' Statement

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has defended lathicharge on protesting farmers saying the police tried to maintain 'law and order'

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar has defended police action on farmers. (File Photo)

New Delhi: Around 10 people were injured after police allegedly lathicharged farmers who blocked roads and national highways on Saturday afternoon. The farmers were heading towards Karnal to raise their voices against a BJP meeting.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has defended the police action against protesting farmers in Karnal, saying assurances of a peaceful protest were given, but stones were hurled at cops and a highway was blocked, reports PTI.

Talking to reporters in Karnal on Saturday evening after the meeting, Khattar said the protesting farmers had earlier assured the government that their protests will be peaceful.

“If they had to protest, they should have done so in a peaceful manner, no one would have any objection to that. They had earlier assured that they will hold peaceful protests. But if they hurl stones at police, block highway, then the police will take steps to maintain law and order,” said Khattar.

Referring to the BJP meeting in Karnal, Khattar said it was a state-level meeting of the party, and “I condemn the call which they (farmers' outfits) had given to oppose it."

"Obstructing the function of any organisation, on account of any reason, in itself is anti-democratic,” he added.

Haryana's Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Navdeep Singh Virk had earlier said only four protesters were injured, while ten cops sustained injuries in the incident.

Angry farmers blocked multiple roads across Haryana Sunday afternoon to protest "brutal" police action against fellow farmers in neighbouring Karnal district, as they were protesting a meeting led by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to discuss a forthcoming municipal election. 

Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala ensures action against SDM

After the scuffle between farmers and police on Saturday, a video of a top district official in Harayana asking policemen to crack the heads of protesters surfaced on social media, drawing criticism from a wide section of people, including BJP MP Varun Gandhi.

In the viral video, Karnal's Sub-Divisional Magistrate can be seen instructing few policemen that no protesters should go beyond a certain barricaded area.

While speaking to policemen, the SDM says, "It is very simple that no one should be allowed to reach there, whoever he is, wherever he is from. This is should not be breached at any cost. Just pick up your lathi and hit them hard. There is no need for any instruction on this, just hit them. If anyone comes here, I want to see his head cracked."

At the end of the conversation, the SDM can be heard asking "Any doubt?" To which the policemen responded, "No Sir". 

While the video has drawn severe criticism, Haryana Deputy CM has condemned the action and has ensured to take strict action.

"The use of such kind of words by an IAS officer for farmers is condemnable. Definitely, action will be taken against him", said Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala.