Karnal: Security Beefed Up, Mobile Internet Services Suspended Ahead Of Farmers Call To Gherao Secretariat

As farmers plan gherao of Karnal Mini Secretariat and hold Mahapanchayat in protest against recent lathi-charge, mobile internet services have been suspended along with other security arrangements.

Representative Photo

New Delhi: Haryana Police have tightened security arrangements ahead of the call by several farmers' organisations to gherao Karnal Mini Secretariat on Tuesday.

Informing about the same, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Navdeep Singh Virk on Monday said that the primary objective is to maintain public peace and order, prevent any violence, facilitate the functioning of traffic and public transport systems, and safeguard the public property across the state in general and Karnal in particular, news agency ANI reported.

IGP Karnal Range and all district Superintendents of Police (Karnal Range) have been directed to take necessary preventive measures to maintain law and order in Karnal and adjoining districts. 

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, heading the farmers' protests against the three contentious agrarian laws, has given a call for the gherao of the secretariat. The organisation is demanding that FIR be registered against those officers who had allegedly ordered a lathi charge on agitators during their protest against a BJP event in Karnal on August 28.

Ahead of the farmers' Mahapanchayat and planned gherao of the mini-secretariat, the Haryana government on Monday also ordered suspension of mobile internet services in Karnal district to "stop the spread of misinformation and rumours" through social media, news agency PTI reported.

The mobile internet services in the Karnal district will remain suspended from 12:30 pm on Monday to Tuesday midnight.

Farmer Leaders Meet Karnal Administration

Protesting farmers also met the Karnal administration in an attempt to negotiate over the Mahapanchayat being held in protest against the recent lathi-charge.

“No outcome from the meeting with Karnal admin. We will go ahead with our panchayat”: Haryana Bharatiya Kisan Union chief Gurnam Singh Charuni said, as quoted by ANI.

On the other hand, after the meeting, Karnal DM Nishant Kumar Yadav said: “We held talks with farmers. Their demand was not justified. No compensation will be given to law violators and no action will be taken against our officials. We'll not let them block the highway and gherao mini secretariat (tomorrow)”.

“Total 40 companies of forces deployed. Out of which 10 companies of paramilitary forces of CAPF deployed including  BSF. Five SP and 25 DSP rank officers were deployed. Water cannon, riot control vehicle, drones and videographers have been deployed,” Karnal SP Ganga Ram Punia informed.

Traffic Advisory

Meanwhile, Haryana Police has issued a traffic advisory. The main National Highway No 44 (Ambala-Delhi) is expected to see some traffic disruptions.. Therefore, the general public using NH 44 are advised to avoid journey through Karnal town or otherwise use alternative routes to go to their destination on September 7. 

“Vehicles coming from Delhi side will be allowed to reach Chandigarh via Pepsi Bridge (Panipat) via Munak to Assandh and Munak to Gagsina, via Ghoghadipur to Hansi Chowk of Karnal, via Bypass Western Yamuna Canal to Karna Lake via GT Road 44. Apart from this, light vehicles will be diverted towards Chandigarh via Madhuban, Daha, Bajida, Ghogharipur, Hansi Chowk, Bypass Yamuna Canal, Karna Lake, GT Road 44,” informed the release. 

The official release by the police further states that for tomorrow, vehicles coming from Chandigarh side will be diverted from Pipli Chowk (Kurukshetra) via Ladwa, Indri, Bayana, Neval, Kunjpura via Nangla Megha, Meerut via Amritpur Khurd, Kairavali, and Gharaunda via GT Road 44. 

Apart from this, light vehicles will be allowed from Ramba Cut Tarawadi via Ramba Chowk Indri Road via Sangoha, Ghid, Baragaon, Neval, Kunjpura via Nangla Megha, Meerut Road via Amrutpanur Khurd, Kairavali, and Gharaunda via GT Road-44. 

(With inputs from agencies)