Farmers Movement Archive

Delhi: 10,000 more join stir at Singhu, arteries clogged

NEW DELHI: More than 10,000 farmers arrived at Singhu to boost the gathering of protesters at the border on Monday, the nineteenth day of the face-off between the land tillers and the central government over the new agri laws. This naturally resulted in major traffic jams on the roads connected to the borders, with a spillover effect on the city arteries. The Delhi Traffic Police said that the entry points in the capital at Ghazipur, Singhu, Auchandi and some other places were closed for traffic as the farmers' agitation continued. A police tweet said, "Ghazipur border is closed for traffic coming from Ghaziabad to Delhi due to farmers protests. People are advised to take alternative routes for coming to Delhi via Anand Vihar, DND, Chilla, Apsara and Bhopra borders." The cops suggested optional routes via Lampur, Safiabad and Singhu school toll tax borders due to the closure of Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, Sabholi and Mangesh border points while urging commuters to avoid using Outer Ring Road, GT Karnal Road and NH44. On Sunday, the protesting farmers had blocked the Jaipur-Delhi highway in Rewari while Haryana Police barricaded the stretch and diverted the traffic from Delhi via Kasola Chowk and restricted the movement of motorists towards Jaipur. After 2pm, however, the highway was partially opened. Since November 26, farmers, most from Punjab and Haryana, have been out on the streets, aiming to reach the capital to press for the repeal of Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020. These laws were enacted by Parliament in September. The five rounds of talks between the leaders of farmer groups and Union ministers have failed to resolve the matter. The agitation leaders have now threatened to block trains in the coming days if the Centre didn't acquiesce and repeal the three Acts. "We get no pleasure in causing inconvenience to the people of Delhi, but this is all we can do to make our point," declared Kamaljeet Singh of Moga in Punjab. "We are all in this together and if our demands are met, we will not take two hours to clear this spot. I have personally been sitting in protest here since the very first day and plan to stay here till the end." For Suraj Singh, a resident of Mohali, the last one week has been an overwhelming one. "I am a lawyer and have taken indefinite leave from my office to be present here," he said. "We, from Punjab, eventually all hail from families of farmers. If we don't stand with them, nobody else will. I am volunteering my sewa and have invited my family members and friends to be here with me today." Meanwhile, traffic police officers claimed to be holding regular meetings and increasing police presence at the choke points. "Fortunately, the protesters have been protesting peacefully," said a relieved senior officer. "The personnel at Singhu and Tikri borders have been sensitised and the force managing the traffic has been visibly increased in view of the traffic situation worsening over the last three weeks."

The Times of India

2020-12-15

Delhi