Karnal turns fortress a day before farmers’ mahapanchayat

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government on Monday turned Karnal into a fortress with police personnel swarming and barricading the city’s entrances ahead of a farmers’ mahapanchayat and a call to gherao the Karnal Mini Secretariat slated for Tuesday.

Hundreds of armed police personnel have been deployed and traffic diversions enforced along the Delhi-Amritsar National Highway-44. Prohibitory orders banning assembly of four or more people have also been invoked.

The state government decided to suspend mobile internet services in Karnal from Monday midnight till Tuesday to “stop the spread of misinformation and rumours” through social media platforms on mobile phones and SMS.

State Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Navdeep Singh Virk said the primary objective is to maintain peace and order, prevent violence, facilitate traffic and public transport and to safeguard public property across the state in general and Karnal in particular.

Karnal SP Ganga Ram Punia said 40 companies of armed police, including 10 of CAPF (CRPF, BSF and RAF) have been deployed in the district. Water cannons and riot control vehicles have been deployed and drones kept ready. “The activity at the farmers’ rally will be videographed,’’ he said.

Deputy Commissioner of Karnal Nishant Kumar Yadav said talks were held with the farmer union leaders, “but their demands are not justified”. “No compensation will be given those who break the law. We will not allow the farmers to block the national highway and the surround the mini secretariat,’’ he warned.

The Haryana government, which had earlier ordered suspension of mobile Internet services here from Monday 12:30 pm to Tuesday midnight, decided to suspend these services in four adjoining districts as well.

The mobile Internet service will remain suspended in Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind and Panipat districts with effect from 12 am to 11:59 pm on Tuesday.