POLICE, FARMERS CLASH IN HRY DURING PROTEST OVER CM’S VISIT

ROHTAK/KARNAL/AMBALA/ CHANDIGARH: The Haryana police on Sunday lathicharged and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse a group of farmers protesting chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s visit to Hisar to inaugurate a Covid-19 hospital. At least 20 police personnel and several farmers were injured in the clashes, officials said.

Farmers blocked major highways and state roads.

“Why did the CM have to visit Hisar to inaugurate the hospital, he could have done it virtually,” asked Haryana Bharat Kisan Union (Charuni) president, Gurnam Singh Charuni.

“The police resorted to lathicharge and used tear gas shells, besides using plastic bullets to disperse the farmers in Hisar. Many farmers received injuries,” Charuni said, alleging that despite the state restricting gatherings hundreds of people were allowed to gather for the hospital inauguration.

Khattar inaugurated the newly built 500-bedded Chaudhary Devi Lal Sanjeevani COVID Hospital in Hisar and farmers were stopped before they could reach the venue, the police said.

Karnal superintendent of police Ganga Ram Punia said that traffic had been diverted from the NH 44 via link roads. He said that there were no reports of violence.hisar police spokesperson Vikas Kumar said a group started pelting stones at policemen, which led to the confrontation in which a few people, both farmers and policemen, got injured. At least 20 police personnel were injured during the clash in Hisar, officials said.

Charuni said the farm leaders had called a meeting at Hisar to decide further course of action.

BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said they had asked the Hisar IG to release 85 farmers detained by the police.

AT LEAST 20 COPS WERE INJURED IN THE CLASHES IN HARYANA’S HISAR, SAID OFFICIALS