Farmers Movement Archive

Cops squat on roads in Mathura to stop tractors from reaching e-way

Agra: In a literal tit for tat agitational tactics, UP police personnel squatted on some roads leading to the Yamuna Expressway to prevent farmers from heading towards Delhi for the “Republic Day Tractor March”. Besides, a large number of police personnel was deployed to thwart attempts by the farmers to break the barricades positioned to block entry to the e-way.Several roads leading to the e-way, including Bajna toll and Govardhan-Barsana road, were fully blocked by barricades and police personnel for smooth movement of traffic on the expressway. Around two companies of PAC, 30 station house officers, 80 sub-inspectors, 275 constables and head constables were deployed for the purpose. Despite farmers breaking the barricades at several places, they could not get access to the expressway. Mathura SSP Guarav Grover said in order to maintain law and order and smooth movement of vehicles without any traffic jam on the expressway, police force was deployed. He said, “We also kept an eye on such people who attempted to vitiate the atmosphere under cover of tractor rally.” Meanwhile, district president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union Raj Kumar Tomar said police might have stopped farmers on Monday but they would make their way and reach Delhi by Tuesday. He said, “The route is being decided by the committee members.” Tomar claimed that they had broken several barricades to reach the expressway but some women officials lay down in front of the tractors, hence they decided to opt for other routes. Some farmers were arrested in Surir area but later, were released by police.

The Times of India

2021-01-26

Agra