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 “totally 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 almost 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 worth (MSP) for crops, was halted by safety forces which led to clashes final week.
In its communication to the Punjab authorities, the Union Home Ministry additionally mentioned the worsening law-and-order state of affairs within the state over the previous few days has been a reason for fear and requested it to take strict motion towards lawbreakers. The residence ministry mentioned many troublemakers within the disguise of farmers had been participating in stone-pelting, and mobilising heavy equipment alongside the Shambhu on Punjab’s border with Haryana.
According to reviews ready by central safety companies, practically 14,000 individuals have been allowed to assemble on the Shambhu barrier on Rajpura-Ambala Road, with practically 1,200 tractor-trolleys, 300 automobiles, 10 mini-buses and different small automobiles, the house ministry mentioned. 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 mentioned it was “totally 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 on account of restrictions on their motion, farmers had been on the borders of Punjab and Haryana, he mentioned.
Verma mentioned that to date, greater than 160 individuals have been injured on account of tear gasoline shells, rubber bullets, use of bodily drive and drones by the Haryana Police. Yet the Punjab authorities has sensibly maintained the regulation and order state of affairs, he mentioned.
He additionally mentioned the Punjab authorities performed an important 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 mentioned.
The chief secretary referred to as for exhibiting extra compassion in the direction of farmers, saying the regulation and order problem in the course of the protest must be dealt with in a extra delicate method as Punjab is a border state. Over 2,000 police personnel have been deployed to keep up peace, in keeping with the communication. “The situation is being continuously monitored, we will take steps if required,” the chief secretary mentioned.
