Farmers’ influx keeps Karnal administration on toes

Tribune News Service

Karnal, November 27

Officials of the district administration and police remained on their toes due to the expected arrival of a huge number of farmers from Punjab on Friday. They were headed towards Delhi to protest against the three laws passed by the Centre recently.

The authorities had installed a fresh ‘naka’ near Karan Lake on National Highway-44, creating hurdles for commuters who had to face a lot of difficulties due to traffic diversion for around seven hours.

The administration erected the ‘naka’ at around 10 am by parking several trucks on the bridge of the Western Yamuna Canal. Cemented and iron barricades were also placed. After the arrival of a huge number of farmers from Punjab, the administration lifted the naka at 5 pm, giving passage to the farmers.

“After the permission from the government, we have removed our barricades,” said Nishant Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner. SP Ganga Ram Punia said that 500 police personnel were vigilant on NH-44 as well as on the other major roads of the district. “The ‘naka’ near Karan Lake was the main ‘naka’ of the district administration. So we had put up our most of the force there,” said the SP.

After the removal of barricades, farmers of Punjab expressed happiness, but criticised the government for creating hurdles. They shouted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

“We are going to Delhi peacefully, but the government is wasting our time. The government must take the three laws back,” said Harvinder Singh, a farmer from Punjab, while showing victory sign after getting easy passage.

Another farmer from Moga, Joginder Singh, said, “We will continue our dharna in Delhi till the laws are rolled back. The Union Government must understand that these laws are against farmers.”

The parking of trucks brewed resentment among the truck drivers who alleged that they had been forced by the administration to park their trucks as blockade. “The police have forcefully made me park my truck here. My truck can be damaged by protesters. Then, who will be responsible for it?” said Sarvar, a truck driver of Shamli in UP. Balinder, another truck driver from Munak, said that his truck was stopped by the police on Indri road and he was forced to park his truck here.

DC Yadav denied the allegations and said that they have not forced anyone for it.