Section 144 imposed in Haryana's Karnal ahead of farmers' protest

Chandigarh: In view of farmers’ another mega gathering in Haryana’s Karnal on Tuesday, the administration has imposed ban on large gatherings in the district.

On August 28, clashes erupted between farmers and police in the same district. Farmers protesting in Karnal were allegedly lathi-charged by the police, triggering widespread outrage in the state and neighbouring Punjab.

More than 10 people suffered injuries after the police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the protesting farmers, gathered at a toll plaza in Karnal, responding to a call given by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU).

The farmers were reportedly protesting against a state-level BJP meeting on the upcoming municipal elections attended by Chief Minister Maohar Lal Khattar, state BJP president Om Prakash Dhankar and other leaders.

Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the umbrella body of 40 farmer unions spearheading the farmers' protest against the Centre's three farm laws, has decided to hold a rally in Karnal to protest the police action against the protesting farmers.

On Sunday, thousands of farmers from 15 states had gathered in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar for Kisan Mahapanchayat amid tight security.

Thousands of farmers have been protesting at the borders of Delhi for the past nine months seeking the repeal of the three contentious farm laws which they are afraid will do away with the MSP system.

The Centre has so far hold over 10 rounds of talks with the farmer unions to allay their concerns with no major breakthrough.