The Delhi Police tightened security at the Tikri, Singhu, and Ghazipur borders, along with railway and metro stations and bus stands as agitating farmers are set to resume their march to Delhi on Wednesday, news agency PTI reported.
The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), the two umbrella bodies that are spearheading the farmer’s agitation, on March 3 gave a call to farmers from across the country to reach Delhi on Wednesday.
“We had temporally removed barriers for commuters at the Singhu and the Tikri borders. The deployment of police and paramilitary personnel is still there and (they) will ensure strict, round-the-clock vigil,” a senior police officer told PTI.
The officer further said that additional police and paramilitary forces have already been deployed at railway and metro stations and bus stands.
“No one will be allowed to breach the law,” the officer was quoted as saying. The police said checking will be intensified at different locations and there may be traffic congestion in the city.
Farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal on March 3 gave a call to farmers across the nation to reach Delhi on Wednesday for a protest. They also called for a four-hour countrywide rail roko on March 10 in support of their various demands, including a legal guarantee on minimum support price for crops. He said the sacrifice of a farmer will not go in vain and the struggle will continue until the demands are met.
The protesting farmers have been staying put at the Shambhu and the Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana after their “Delhi Chalo” march was stopped by security forces. They began their march on February 13 but were stopped by the security forces, which led to clashes at the border of Haryana and Punjab.
Traffic jams possible: Cops
Commuters may face traffic jams due to farmers’ protest on Wednesday, police said. In the morning, a huge jam was already witnessed at Delhi-Haryana’s Singhu border as farmers started gathering there, according to reports.
“We have stepped up security at all three borders. However, we are not shutting any border or route but vehicle checking will take place,” an officer said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Jimmy Chiram said force is already deployed at the Delhi-Haryana border.
“Section 144 is already imposed in Delhi. We will not allow any gathering or assembly anywhere here,” the officer said. Security has been mounted at ISBT Kashmere Gate, Anand Vihar, and Sarai Kale Khan. “No one will be allowed to breach the law,” the officer said.
