New Delhi: The AAP authorities in Punjab on Wednesday despatched a robust reply to the Centre’s letter on the farmers’ protest, saying it was “completely incorrect” to allege that the state authorities was allowing gathering on the two border factors with Haryana. The Punjab authorities’s reply got here after the Centre expressed its critical objection to the meeting of protesters, estimating that just about 14,000 individuals have congregated alongside the Punjab-Haryana border.
Protesting farmers have been staying at Shambhu and Khanauri factors on Punjab’s border with Haryana after their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to pressurize the Centre for numerous calls for, together with a authorized assure for minimal help value (MSP) for crops, was halted by safety forces which led to clashes final week.
In its communication to the Punjab authorities, the Union Dwelling Ministry additionally stated the worsening law-and-order scenario within the state over the previous few days has been a reason behind fear and requested it to take strict motion towards lawbreakers. The house ministry stated many troublemakers within the disguise of farmers had been partaking in stone-pelting, and mobilising heavy equipment alongside the Shambhu on Punjab’s border with Haryana.
In response to studies ready by central safety companies, almost 14,000 individuals have been allowed to assemble on the Shambhu barrier on Rajpura-Ambala Highway, with almost 1,200 tractor-trolleys, 300 vehicles, 10 mini-buses and different small autos, the house ministry stated. Likewise, Punjab has allowed a gathering of round 4,500 individuals with near 500 tractor-trolleys on the Dhabi-Gujran barrier, it claimed.
In response, Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma stated it was “completely incorrect” to allege that the Punjab authorities was allowing individuals to assemble at Shambhu and Dhabhi-Gurjan borders. Farmers had been heading to Delhi to stage a protest however resulting from restrictions on their motion, farmers had been on the borders of Punjab and Haryana, he stated.
Verma stated that to this point, greater than 160 individuals have been injured resulting from tear fuel shells, rubber bullets, use of bodily drive and drones by the Haryana Police. But the Punjab authorities has sensibly maintained the legislation and order scenario, he stated.
He additionally stated the Punjab authorities performed a significant position in negotiations between farmer leaders and a panel of union ministers with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself attending three out of 4 such conferences. In one of many conferences which he couldn’t attend, the CM deputed a cupboard minister and senior officers, he stated.
The chief secretary known as for exhibiting extra compassion in the direction of farmers, saying the legislation and order subject through the protest ought to be dealt with in a extra delicate approach as Punjab is a border state. Over 2,000 police personnel have been deployed to keep up peace, based on the communication. “The scenario is being repeatedly monitored, we’ll take steps if required,” the chief secretary stated.
