The Delhi Police on Friday used tear gas shells to disperse a group of farmers who had reached the Singhu border as part of their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to protest against the Centre’s new farm laws. The shells were fired at the border point at Narela which connects Delhi with Haryana. Punjab farmers, representing over 30 farm bodies, have announced they will enter Delhi through several routes — Lalru, Shambhu, Patiala-Pehowa, Patran-Khanauri, Moonak-Tohana, Ratia-Fatehabad and Talwandi-Sirsa.
Traffic has been diverted at several places along the national capital’s border in view of the protest. Checking of vehicles has also been intensified at the Delhi-Gurgaon border leading to heavy traffic jams. CISF personnel have also been deployed on the Delhi-Gurgaon border. Five sand-laden trucks and three water cannons have been stationed at the Singhu border to stop tractors being driven by the protesters. Also, drones have been deployed to keep a tight vigil to maintain law and order.
In order to prevent farmers from entering Delhi, police deployment has also been made at NH-24, DND, Chilla Border, Tigri border, Bahadurgarh border, Faridabad border and Kalindi Kunj border. The Delhi Police has also sought permission from the AAP government to use the city’s nine stadiums as temporary jails in view of the protest, government sources said.
To take stock of the situation, Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava had on Thursday visited the bordering areas and said protesting farmers will not be allowed to enter the national capital. Metro commuters in the city faced inconvenience as the Delhi Metro announced the closure of exit and entry gates at six metro stations on the Green Line in view of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.
Amarinder Singh welcomes Centre’s decision to allow farmers enter Delhi
Farmers Protest Live: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has welcomed the Centre’s decision to allow farmers to enter Delhi to exercise their democratic right to protest. “They should also now initiate immediate talks to address farmers’ concerns on the farm laws and resolve the simmering issue,” he tweeted.