Farmers Movement Archive

Entry, exit at 4 Delhi metro stations closed in view of farmers’ rail roko call

The entry and exit gates of at least four metro stations in Delhi were closed on Thursday ahead of the four-hour ‘rail roko’ agitation called by farmers protesting against three agricultural laws enacted by the Centre in September last year.“Security Update Entry/exit for Tikri Border, Pandit Shree Ram Sharma, Bahadurgarh City, and Brig. Hoshiar Singh have been closed,” the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) wrote on Twitter.The move comes as farmers, who have been camping at Delhi borders for the past two and half months demanding a repeal of new farm laws, have called for a four-hour nationwide railway blockade between 12 noon and 4 pm. Farm union leaders have assured that it will be peaceful protest and said that they are expecting support for the programme from farmers across the nation.The Delhi Police have also tightened security in several parts of the national capital, especially near railway tracks and patrolling has also been increased, officials told news agency PTI.Meanwhile, the railways has deployed 20 additional companies of the Railway Protection Special Force (RPF) across the country, with focus on Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal in view of the ‘rail roko’ call.Follow latest updates on farm stir here "Security forces have been deployed so as to prevent any chances of harm to railway property," said Bhim Singh, Incharge GRP Palwal Railway station Haryana. Anup Singh, SHO, city Palwal told news agency ANI that 3000 security personnel have been deployed for Palwal railway station and stations nearby.Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait reiterated that the protests will be conducted peacefully and that they’ll provide the stranded passengers with refreshments during the blockade. "We'll provide water, milk, lassi and fruits to people who are stranded. We will inform them about our issues," he told ANI.The protesting farmers are demanding a complete rollback of three laws-Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020- cleared during the monsoon session of Parliament last year.

Hindustan Times

18-02-2021

Delhi