Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab Govt’s strong rebuttal to MHA: No role in gathering farmers at Haryana borders, maintaining law order responsibly
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, February 21, 2024: In a response to the advisory issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to the Punjab government asking it to maintain law and order in the wake of the farmers' agitation, the state government stated that it is responsibly maintaining law and order situation.
The letter sent by the Chief Secretary also mentions that the orders given by Punjab Haryana High Court on the 20th of February, have not been received yet nor uploaded on the website.
"It is completely wrong to say that the Punjab government is allowing people to gather at Shambhu and Dhabhi-Gurjan borders. Farmers were going to Delhi to protest, due to restrictions on movement, farmers are on the border of Punjab and Haryana.Till now, more than 160 people have been injured due to tear gas shells, rubber bullets, physical force, and drones used by Haryana Police, yet the Punjab government has responsibly maintained the law and order situation," the Punjab government stated
"The Punjab government also played an important role in the negotiation, Chief Minister Bhagwant himself agreed in three out of four meetings. In the meeting in which the Chief Minister himself could not sit, he sent high-ranking officials along with the Cabinet Minister along with the Union Minister," the letter stated.
The state government stressed that there is a need to show more sympathy towards farmers
"Being a border state, law and order should be handled more sensitively during protests. On behalf of the Punjab Police, 2000 policemen including DIG rank IPS and PPS officers are working to maintain peace. The situation is being constantly monitored, we will take steps if needed," Bhagwant Mann led government stated.
Also Read; MHA sends advisory to Punjab govt, asks to maintain law and order as farmers announced Delhi march