BJP govt can talk to Taliban but not farmers, says Congress

The Congress has mounted further attack on the BJP-led government in Haryana for suppressing the voice of the farmers by blocking internet in Karnal.

Congress chief spokesperson, Randeep Surjewala said in a statement, "The Khattar government has lost the confidence and the mandate of the people and it should leave. When your party can talk to the Taliban, why not farmers."

He added that it's dictatorship to block the internet.

Multi-layer security was deployed at the spot where Mahapanchayat was scheduled to be held. Around 30 battalions, including the central forces were deployed to ensure security and to avoid any untoward incident.

Though there was multi-layer barricading to stop people from moving towards the Karnal mandi, the agitating farmers said they would reach the spot at any cost. "If needed, we will break the barricades. No security can stop farmers from attending the mahapanchayat," said Jagdeep Singh Chaduni, a Karnal-based Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU).

Farmers gathered at Karnal mandi said they want action against the IAS officer who had ordered police action on August 28. They said the official should be suspended and the families of all the farmers who have sacrificed their lives during the protest should be compensated.

Meanwhile, an 11-member delegation of farmer leaders was invited to hold talks with the district administration. However, the farmer leaders said the meeting with Karnal Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav remained inconclusive.

"The government is not listening to our demands. Now we have to take a call," the leaders said.