New Delhi:

Protesting farmers will start marching towards Delhi to press their various demands to the central government today. The announcement has prompted the police to increase security at the Punjab and Haryana borders.

The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), the two umbrella bodies that are leading the farmers’ protests, on March 3 gave a call to farmers from across the country to reach the national capital today.

They also called for a four-hour countrywide “rail roko” next week in support of their various demands, which include that the Centre should give a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the crops.

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 personnel on February 13.

While the farmers from Punjab and Haryana will continue the agitation at Shambhu and Khanauri border points, the farmers and farm labourers from other states have been asked to reach Delhi today.

Farmers’ ‘Rail Roko’ Protest

To intensify the agitation, farmer leaders have also called upon the farmers and labourers across the country for the ‘rail roko’ protest on March 10.

They have announced a countrywide ‘rail roko’ protest from 12 pm to 4 pm.

Farmers’ body Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which spearheaded the 2020-21 agitation, has also announced a ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ in Delhi on March 14.

The SKM said that over 400 farmers’ outfits will participate in the ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ to press the Centre to accept their demands.

Delhi Police Step Up Vigil

The Delhi Police has directed its personnel to ensure strict vigil at the Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur borders in view of the farmers’ protest.

Additional police and paramilitary forces have also been deployed at railway and metro stations and bus stands.

The police said checking will be intensified at various locations and that there may be traffic congestion in the capital.

New Delhi:

Ahead of the planned tractor march organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) today, the Noida Police has issued a traffic advisory, warning commuters of potential disruptions and diversions in the Delhi-Noida border region.

The BKU plans to conduct a tractor march along the Yamuna Expressway, stretching from Mehndipur in Rabupura to Falaida. To ensure the safety of the event, the police have implemented prohibitory orders under Section 144 and deployed additional personnel at key entry and exit points of Delhi and Noida.

The farmers’ bodies have planned to take the tractor march through the Yamuna Expressway, Luharli Toll Plaza, and Mahamaya Flyover. 

To manage the anticipated traffic disruptions, the Noida Police has outlined specific measures in their traffic advisory. Vehicles traveling from Chilla border to Delhi can use the Sector 14A flyover via Golchakkar Chowk Sector-15, while those coming from the DND border can use the elevated route via the Film City flyover in Sector 18. Similarly, vehicles from Kalindi border can navigate through Mahamaya flyover via Sector 37.

For commuters using Yamuna Expressway, the advisory suggests using alternative routes and opting for the metro to minimise inconvenience. Goods vehicles on specific routes will face restrictions, and drivers are advised to consider alternative paths to reach their destinations.

The Delhi police yesterday lifted portions of the barriers at the Singhu and Tikri borders as the farmers decided to halt their proposed march towards the national capital.

The SKM has announced to observe ‘Quit WTO Day’ today, demanding that the Centre pressurise developed countries to keep agriculture out of the World Trade Organization discussions.