Farmers gherao mini-secretariat after talks fail

Thousands of farmers started marching towards the district headquarters in Karnal on Tuesday evening after union leaders said their talks with the local administration had failed. Farmer unions had demanded action against officials over the lathicharge against protesters on August 28 in Karnal. Otherwise, they had threatened farmers will lay siege on the Karnal minisecretariat – a threat they appeared to be carrying out. Farmers reached the New Anaj Mandi for a mahapanchayat in the morning, riding tractors and motorcycles. As they gathered there, an 11-member delegation was invited by the local administration to discuss their demands and dissuade them from marching towards the secretariat. Thousands of protesters walked towards the secretariat carrying farmer union flags. Several barricades have been put up on the route. Earlier, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait told reporters that they had demanded the suspension of the IAS officer who was caught on tape allegedly telling policemen to "break heads" of protesting farmers.