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Farmers spend night outside Karnal mini secretariat; bigger crowd expected today
Several SKM leaders, including Rakesh Tikait, Gurnam Singh Charuni, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Yogender Yadav, Darshan Pal and Joginder Ugrahan were also present as the farmers made it clear that they will not go back until their demand of action against the former Karnal SDM Ayush Sinha is accepted
Scores of farmers along with Samyukt Kisan Morcha leaders spent the night at the main entrance of the Karnal mini secretariat in Haryana on Tuesday.
Several SKM leaders, including Rakesh Tikait, Gurnam Singh Charuni, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Yogender Yadav, Darshan Pal and Joginder Ugrahan were also present as the farmers made it clear that they will not go back until their demand of action against the former Karnal SDM Ayush Sinha is accepted.
However, the government has extended the suspension of mobile internet and SMS for the next 24 hours till 12am, September 9.
Controversial farmer activist from Punjab, Lakha Sidhana, also reached Karnal late night along with several followers. In his brief address, Sidhana slammed the BJP-led governments at the Centre and state for attempts to create rifts between farmers of Punjab and Haryana.
Also Watch | Talks fail, agitated farmers pitch tent outside Karnal mini-secretariat
“They tried to divide us on several occasions but Punjab is always with its younger brother Haryana and we will stay in Karnal until we force this government to accept our demands,” he added.
“The political situation of Haryana is different from that of Punjab and I salute the farmers of Haryana who are fighting against the [CM Manohar Lal] Khattar government despite repeated lathicharge and FIRs,” he added.
A huge gathering of farmers is expected in Karnal on Wednesday as there are reports that farm union leaders have given a call to Haryana farmers to reach Karnal.
Karnal deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said elaborate security arrangements are in place to deal with any law and order situation.
The movement of traffic on NH-44 remained normal even as a huge deployment of police and security forces continues in Karnal.
