Shahabad (Kurukshetra), Sep 22 (PTI) Police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse the potesting members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) who blocked the Delhi-Chandigarh GT Road at Shahabad on Tuesday demanding that the government immediately begin paddy procurement at state-run procurement centres.
BKU (Charuni) president Gurnam Singh Charuni alleged that police had detained several protesters.
Generally, the paddy procurement process in the state commences from October 1. However, last year the procurement began on September 22.
Hundreds of farmers had gathered since morning near the Shaheed Udham Singh Memorial, located close to the GT Road.
A meeting between BKU (Charuni) leader Gurnam Singh Charuni and Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena continued for around one and a half hours. However, the talks failed and the protesting farmers marched towards the GT Road, BKU (Charuni) leaders claimed.
Police erected barricades to prevent them from reaching the highway, but the protesters broke through and entered the GT Road, bringing traffic to a halt. Police first used water cannons in an attempt to disperse the protesters. When the farmers refused to move, police fired tear-gas shells.
The situation remained tense in Shahabad as the farmers continued their protest.
The protesters maintained that the government should accept their demand to immediately begin procuring paddy.
Police later said that regular traffic on National Highway-44 has been restored.
The farmers had earlier asked the Haryana government to begin procurement of paddy from September 15. PTI Cor SUN RT RT
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