'Break their head...', SDM tells police during farmers' protest, clarifies later

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, August 28

Karnal Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ayush Sinha on Saturday courted controversy after he was caught on camera directing policemen "to break their (farmers) head" in case they tried to breach the barricade during the farmers' protest in Karnal.

The officer later claimed that "he has not seen the viral clip, but the direction came after stone-pelting had started", he goes on to add that "steps were taken as per CrPC".

"Since it was an issue of stone-pelting, the response had to be proportionate", Sinha said.

In the viral clip, the SDM could be heard ordering the police to "break their (the farmers) head".

Earlier in the day, around 10 farmers were injured after the police reportedly resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse a group of farmers who were heading towards Karnal to protest against a BJP meeting.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and BJP state president OP Dhankhar attended the state-level meeting.

Farmers blocked the national highway-44 near Bastara toll plaza amid the deployment of the heavy police force.

Congress general secretary and spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said that the atrocities by the BJP government will be remembered. “Khattar Sahib, you have lathi-charged the soul of Haryanvi in Karnal today. The oppression by the sinful BJP regime that bleeds the farmer of the soil is like demons. The blood that seeps from the bodies of the farmers, flowing on the streets, will be remembered by all the coming races,” said Surjewala.

"CM-Dy CM’s conspiracy to kill farmers in Karnal and it is clear from the orders of the Duty Magistrate – who is ordering the police to break the heads of the farmers and hit them with sticks. BJP-JJP is “General Dyer” government!” added Surjewal