Police use water cannons and barricades to stop Youth Congress workers who were marching towards Haryana CM Manohar Lal's residence in protest over new farm laws. (Photo | PTI) 
Nation

Farmers' protest: Congress workers try to march to Haryana CM's home, face water cannons

A Youth Congress worker said they were protesting against the Khattar government for stopping thousands of farmers while they were taking part in their 'Delhi Chalo' march.

From our online archive

CHANDIGARH: Police used water cannons Wednesday as Punjab Youth Congress workers jumped barricades trying to march to Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar's home here, protesting over the new farm laws.

Police later took several activists into preventive custody.

The protesters said they planned to 'gherao' Khattar's official residence, according to Chandigarh Police.

A Youth Congress worker said they were protesting against the Khattar government for stopping thousands of farmers while they were taking part in their "Delhi Chalo" march, and using water cannons and tear gas against them.

The Chandigarh Police first used water cannons against the Congress workers at barricades set up about three kilometers ahead of Khattar's official residence.

But some activists managed to reach closer to the CM's home after jumping over police barricades.

Again, water cannons were used to stop them.

There was a strong police deployment near Khattar's residence.

The workers led by Punjab Youth Congress president Barinder Dhillon had earlier gathered near the Chandigarh headquarters of the Congress.

They raised slogans against the BJP governments of Narendra Modi at the Centre and Manohar Lal Khattar in Haryana, calling them "anti-farmer".

Last week, the Haryana Police had tried to stop Punjab farmers from entering the state continue their march towards the national capital.

ALSO WATCH:

Later, however, they removed barricades at all Punjab-Haryana border points.

Thousands of farmers, most of them from Punjab, are now gathered at Delhi's borders protesting against the three new laws enacted at the Centre in September.

Farmer unions say the three new laws will lead to the dismantling of the minimum support price (MSP) system, leaving farmers to the mercy of corporate houses.

But the government says the MSP system will continue and the new laws will give farmers more options to sell their crop.

Farm leaders met Union ministers on Tuesday, but the two sides failed to break the deadlock.

Trump speech on Iran war: When endgame talks meet mid-game reality

India attends UK-hosted summit on efforts to reopen Strait of Hormuz

CAG report flags Airtel delays in rural connectivity project, highlights BSNL mismanagement

Mamata condemns attack on judicial officers amid SC rap, says BJP 'plotting' unrest for President’s rule

Himachal Pradesh assembly passes bill denying pension for MLAs disqualified under anti-defection law

SCROLL FOR NEXT