Karnal talks fail as govt 'defends' 'crack-their-head' babu, farmers begin march

Farmers in Haryana's Karnal began their march to the mini-secretariat after three rounds of talks with the BJP-led government failed on Tuesday.

An 11-member delegation of farmer leaders was invited to hold talks with the district administration as protesters in large numbers assembled for a mahapanchayat.

Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said that protesters will not break any police barricades, but will continue with their decision to gherao mini-secretariat.

He further said that farmers will not indulge in any law and order disruption and in case cops try to stop them, they will court arrest.

The Manoharlal Khattar government on Monday ordered suspension of mobile internet services in Karnal and issued prohibitory orders banning gathering of people under Section 144.

The Haryana Police had lathicharged a group of farmers on August 28 while they were heading towards Karnal to protest against a BJP meeting. Over 10 protesters were injured.

The Samyukt Kissan Morcha had said a murder case should be registered against IAS officer Ayush Sinha who was caught on tape allegedly telling policemen to "break heads" of protesting farmers.

Reports said that talks failed as the Karnal Deputy Commissioner sought one month’s time to probe if Sinha’s 'objectionable words' actually led to police lathicharge.