Taking a cue out of Uttar Pradesh government’s book of recovering compensation for damages to the property during violent protests and strikes — the Haryana government on Wednesday enacted a similar law. Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya gave his assent to the Haryana Recovery of Damages to Property During Disturbance to Public Order Bill, which is expected to keep the miscreants masquerading as farmers in the ongoing ‘farmers’ protests’ in check.
“With the implementation of the Act in the state, any damage done to people’s shops, houses, government offices, vehicles, buses and other public property in guise of any movement will be recovered from the protesters,” said Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij.
For adjudicating upon pleas for compensation for damage to properties, the new law provides for the government to set up claim tribunals in the state. Interestingly, the tribunals will be chaired by Haryana Superior Judicial Services officers, to be appointed in consultation with the chief justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Amid loud protests by the opposition, the Haryana assembly last month had passed the bill. Coming against the backdrop of farmers’ protests that have roiled the border areas of the national capital, including some parts of Haryana — the enactment of the bill becomes paramount as the alleged farmers have been on a rampage in the state.
As reported by TFI, on May 16, violent clashes occurred between the police and the alleged farmers when Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar visited Hisar to inaugurate a Covid hospital. Five women constables and 20 other police officers were injured in the clash while significant property damage was recorded.
While the passing of the bill is a laudable step, it would amount to nothing if the Khattar government, under pressure from his coalition partner Dushyant Chautala continues to cancel the FIRs against the violent perpetrators. As reported by TFI, the 350 FIRs lodged on the farmers who partook in the May 16 clashes was withdrawn by the Haryana government in a rather tame fashion.
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Moreover, when thousands of alleged farmers gathered at Haryana’s Karnal and Panipat toll plazas — planning to advance towards Delhi to conduct a mass protest to mark the six-month anniversary of the unruly protests against the ‘revolutionary’ farm laws introduced by the central government, the Haryana government did nothing to stop the mobilisation and observed the entire chain of events like a mute spectator.
BJP has to become more assertive in the state and the property damage recovery bill is a step in the right direction. CM Khattar needs to build upon its success now.