Amid rising COVID-19 cases in the State, Haryana’s Chief Minister (CM) Manohar Lal Khatter on Thursday (13 May) urged the protesting farmers to suspend their stir against the three farm sector reform laws, reports Livemint.

CM Khattar said that the protestor’s movement to and from the protest sites was leading to spread of COVID-19 disease in the state’s villages. He urged that the farmers may resume their protest later if they wish, but they must stop it as of now.

The Chief Minister said that he had appealed to the farmer leaders a month ago to suspend their agitation to ensure that the disease does not spread.

“In many villages, hotspots have emerged because their people are regularly coming and going back from dharna sites," Khattar said.

He added, “Their leaders should understand the situation even now. They keep ranting that they will take the vaccine but will not get themselves tested. If they do not get tested, one doesn't know who might have been impacted by COVID.”

Khattar also asserted that the protestors should come forward to get tested so that those found positive can be treated and other necessary measures can be taken accordingly. He emphasised that everyone should have faith in the health and medical system.

He said, “If we start doubting it, it displays our narrow mindedness. So, I appeal to farmers sitting on dharnas to get their tests done.”