Mr Khattar claimed that no Haryana farmer was, or is, involved in the “Dilli Chalo” movement and that state police had shown restraint in handling the situation.
The allegations and counter-allegations between Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh do not seem to be subsiding. In a fresh attack at the neighbouring state CM, the Haryana CM has held Amarinder Singh responsible for the thousands of angry farmers marching to Delhi to protest against the centre’s controversial new farm laws.
Manohar Lal Khattar, whose government and police are at the centre of criticism for using brute force against peacefully protesting farmers, has now claimed that no Haryana farmer was, or is, involved in the “Dilli Chalo” movement and that state police had shown restraint in handling the situation.
“Punjab farmers are protesting. Haryana farmers have stayed away. I thank Haryana farmers and police for showing restraint. Punjab Chief Minister is responsible and fanning this protest. Office bearers of the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office are leading the protest,” ML Khattar told reporters, NDTV reported.
Earlier on Friday, Khattar and Singh had heated exchange over the farmers march to the national capital after one farmers’ group was stopped at the border and met by a barrage of tear gas, water cannons and military-style trenches (dug-up national highways).
The Punjab CM had accused BJP-ruled Haryana of “provoking farmers”, and said: “For nearly 2 months farmers have been protesting peacefully in Punjab… why is the Haryana government provoking them by resorting to force?”
Mr Singh, tagging Mr Khattar in his post, had asked: “Don’t the farmers have the right to pass peacefully through a public highway?”
Mr Khattar responded back saying: “I’ve been trying to reach out to you for the last 3 days but sadly you decided to stay unreachable – is this how serious you are for farmer’s issues? You’re only tweeting and running away from talks. Why?”
The farmers have been protesting the three new farm legislation that centre says will reform the agricultural sector by removing middlemen and allowing them (the farmers) to sell produce anywhere in the country.
The farmers and opposition, however, have alleged that the laws will deprive the farmers of guaranteed minimum price for their produce and leave them at the mercy of corporates.
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