Jind, Jun 3: Haryana Congress today began an indefinite sit-in here in support of agitating farmers' demands for waiver of outstanding power bills and release of arrested leaders as the stir by Bhartiya Kisan Union activistsn entered the 15th day today. All roads leading to Jind were blocked by protesting farmers even as the four-member committee, looking into BKU's demands, is likely to meet representatives of farmers in Chandigarh tomorrow.
Haryana BKU chief Ghasi Ram Nain addressing farmers at Kandela ruled out meeting the panel headed by finance minister Sampat Singh unless the arrested leaders were released. State Congress chief bhupinder singh hooda, AICC secretaries V Hanumantha Rao and Shelja, party legislators and office-bearers staged the sit-in. Former chief minister Bhajan Lal did not join the dharna. Explaining his absence, Hooda said that Lal could not come due to some work.
Jind deputy commissioner Hawa Singh Dhankhar denied Nain's statement that two leaders had been taken to an undisclosed place, Dhankhar said that all arrested leaders were at their places of detention.
Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala said that any one could meet members of the committee set up to solve farmers' problems.
Asserting no one would be allowed to take the law into their hands, he said that doors of the government were always open for talks.
Bureau Report