Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers block lanes, Chilla border sealed

NOIDA/NEW DELHI: The Chilla border was completely sealed on Saturday after a group of farmers blocked the Delhi-Noida lanes in response to UP Police’s decision to stop other protesters at different locations. Traffic between Noida and east Delhi was thrown out of gear completely as the other lanes from Noida to Delhi are already shut because of the protests. It was only a few days ago that the farmers, after being requested by cops, had agreed to move away from the Delhi-Noida lanes to allow commuters to travel between the two cities. On Saturday morning, farmers again blocked the lanes after 600 other protesters were stopped at Jewar, Mathura and the UP-Palwal border. At Chilla, the farmer owing allegiance to the Bharatiya Kisan Union-Bhanu refused to budge an inch unless the other protesters were allowed to enter UP. They moved the barricades put up on other carriageways to the Delhi-Noida lanes and blocked the entire highway. “Our brothers are being stopped at the UP border. We had vacated the Dellhi-Noida carriageways to allow traffic. But they are now stopping our fellow supporters from reaching here,” said Yogesh Pratap Singh, the president of BKU-Bhanu in UP. While the farmers accused Delhi Police of treating them “disrespectfully”, the cops alleged that the agitators were “misbehaving”. KP Thenuan, president of the IT cell of BKU-Bhanu, said, “The talks on Saturday, too, were unsuccessful. It seems the government is not serious even when the farmers are braving the winter chill. Our leaders are going to have a meeting for the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha on Sunday.” Jasmeet Singh, DCP (east) of Delhi Police, said that the farmers’ behaviour was inappropriate. “They say they will go to the Parliament, Ramlila Ground and Jantar Mantar. We tried to make them understand that one carriageway should be opened because patients headed towards hospitals like Max Patparganj and AIIMs use this route. We haven’t received any positive response so far,” he added. Caught in the long queue of vehicles, commuters headed towards Noida from Delhi had to return or use alternative routes. This caused traffic to move bumper to bumper on key routes in Delhi. In a series of tweets, Delhi Police informed commuters about the routes that had been shut due to the protests and the alternatives that can be taken. Traffic to and from Noida was diverted from Akshardham and Crown Plaza Chowk. Vehicles were also diverted from Mukarba and GTK road. Commuters were asked to avoid the Outer Ring Road, GTK Road and NH-44. Singhu, Auchandi, Lemuria Maniyari and Mangesh borders were also closed for traffic along with NH-44 on both sides. For people who use this route, an advisory was issued and they were asked to opt for alternative routes via Safiabad, Saboli, NH8, Bhopra, Apsara borders or the peripheral expressway. Traffic police officers said the Tikri and Jharoda borders continued to remain shut. Meanwhile, the Badusarai border was open only for light motor vehicles. The Ghazipur border on NH-24 was also closed for traffic from Ghaziabad to Delhi. People taking this route were asked to use Apsara, Bhopra and the DND.

The Times of India

2020-12-06

Noida