Interior Minister Janik warns protesters to stay within the law

In Parliament on Friday, Interior Minister Krzysztof Janik defended the police's tough actions during last week's farmers protests and road blockades and said stones and bricks cannot be used as part of negotiations. He went on to warn that the state would be tough with those who break the law. The speech was a reaction to the Sejm's demand for explanation concerning the events in Cienia II, where the police used rubber bullets and water cannon to disperse a protesting crowd, seriously wounding several people. Addressing those MPs who took an active part in the demonstrations Janik said, "Those who declare that breaking the law will solve social problems are conmen," and he rhetorically asked, "What can we call a person who puts other people at risk, while he enjoys an MP's immunity?" (Rzeczpospolita, Feb. 15-16, pp. A1, A3, Gazeta Wyborcza, Feb. 15-16, pp. 1, 7) J.K.