Farmers Protest: Massive Traffic Jams At Delhi Borders; Congress Promises MSP Guarantee Law

Our live coverage of farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest has moved here.

In a post on X, Akasa Air cautioned passengers about the traffic snarls in Delhi NCR.

The airline said, “Due to the ongoing farmers’ protest along the borders of Delhi and its neighbouring states, passengers may experience disruption in transport facilities due to traffic restrictions and diversions in the impacted areas. To ensure a seamless experience, we recommend that you plan your travel accordingly and reach the airport at least 3 hours prior to the departure of your Akasa Air flight.”

Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said the action against the farmers demanding a law on the minimum support price (MSP) is the height of insensitivity. The police lobbed tear gas shells some of them dropped from a drone and tried to disperse groups of stone-pelting protesters in the face-off that last several hours at Shambhu border near Ambala in Haryana.

Haryana Police hurled tear gas canisters against the Delhi Chalo’ protesters at the border in the state’s Jind district as well. Water cannons too were deployed there. Hitting out at the Narendra Modi government, Gehlot said the Congress stands completely in favour of the farmers.

Farmer leaders on Tuesday blamed the Centre for the “attack” on protesters marching towards Delhi and claimed that 60 of them were injured as police used tear gas shells at Punjab-Haryana border points. Farmers from Punjab faced tear gas shells, some of them dropped by a drone, at two border points as they tried to break past barricades set up by the Haryana Police to stop them from heading to the national capital.

Led by farmers leader P Ayyakannu, ryots on Tuesday staged a ‘road roko’ protest here and raised slogans in support of farmers marching to Delhi and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfill promises such as doubling farmers income and ensuring Minimum Support Price. P R Pandian, another noted farmer leader of Tamil Nadu said the farmers’ agitation cannot be scuttled by using ‘rubber bullets and lobbing tear gas shells.” Pandian is in Punjab and he is proceeding towards Delhi alongside farmers from northern regions of the country.

In a statement, Pandian urged the Central government to ‘stop the attack’ on farmers and come forward to ‘fulfill assurances’ made on matters including ‘enacting a law’ on Minimum Support Price. Ayyakannu, after raising slogans against Prime Minister Modi and following the demonstration here, said they were out on the streets to show solidarity with farmers marching towards Delhi.

As the Delhi Police prepares to stop protesting farmers from entering the national capital, a senior officer Tuesday directed personnel on ground that they “need not be defensive” if the agitators show aggression.

Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Ravindra Yadav, who visited the fortified Singhu border this evening, told police personnel and paramilitary jawans deployed there that if the farmers manage to enter Delhi “our whole operation will fail”.

He told the forces they need to act “logically” and by keeping their safety in mind.

Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said, “This is a dark day in Indian history. Tear gas was used against the farmers… We are installing speakers here and will resume our program tomorrow morning.”

Sarwan Singh Pandher, general secretary, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, addreses media on the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest march.

“We say it today that we are farmers of this country, we do not fight. We demand MSP guarantee law, implementation of Swaminathan Commission report, which you have accepted to.”

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said, “What we are saying is not a new demand. That was a commitment to us by the Government. We had tried to draw the attention of Government towards those commitments again and again. But the Government showed no seriousness to date.”

Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora visited the Tikri border on Tuesday to inspect the security arrangements put in place in view of the farmers’ march to the national capital.

Arora was accompanied by Special Commissioner, Law and Order, Madhup Tiwari and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Jimmy Chiram.

According to officials, more than 5,000 personnel of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in the Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur border areas to maintain law and order.

(with PTI inputs)

Shiromani Akali Dal took to X on Tuesday to extend their support for the ongoing farmers protest.

Taking to the social media platform, the party said, “Shiromani Akali Dal is the sole and long standing champion of farmers’ rights and has always stood by them. The party fully supports their right to peaceful democratic protest. The SAD govts have implemented unprecedented facilities for the farm sector including free power and many other measures.”

Quoting government sources, an ANI report said that due to the ongoing farmer protests, 50% less Diesel and 20% less Gas were able to be dispatched to Punjab.

Speaking on the demands of the protesting farmers, Union Minister Arjun Munda said, “Regarding MSP, we have to see what kind of law they (farmers) are seeking, and what will be the pros and cons. We at the government see things in a positive way, but we can come to a conclusion after considering everyone’s interest.”

The deployment of police personnel was increased at Bahadurgarh Bypass, and concrete barricading was being done to stop the protesting farmers.

On the other hand, Special CP Ajay Chaudhary reviewed security arrangments at Delhi’s Ghazipur Border and assured “adequate security arrangements have been made to avoid any untoward incident”.

On farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Daljit Singh Cheema said, “The situation that has formed is a matter of concern. The deadlock too is a matter of concern. I would like to tell the State Government as well as the Central Government that peaceful protest is everyone’s right but attempts to suppress any protest against the Government is undemocratic. Putting up blockades in the path of anyone who wants to hold a peaceful protest is not a healthy democratic process…If the Government announces something and accepts demands but does not implement it – this is a huge matter…Shiromani Akali Dal has always stood with the farmers, stood with their rights. I would like to tell the Centre to implement the demands that they had accepted…”

Traffic movement was interrupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida after vehicles lined up as security and checking were beefed up around borders with Delhi on Tuesday because of the farmers’ grand march to the national capital.

Take a look at alternative routes-

• Commuters going to Delhi via Chilla Border can take the 14A flyover to reach Golchakkar Chowk Sector 15.
• Vehicles can then proceed to Sandip Paper Mill Chowk, Jhundpura Chowk and then travel further to their destination.
• Those going to Delhi via the DND Border are advised to take the Filmcity flyover to reach sector 18.
• Vehicles going to Delhi via Yamuna expressway are advised to go towards Khurja from Jewar toll and from there proceed further through Jahangirpur.
• Commuters travelling to Delhi via Kalindi Border are advised to take Mahamaya flyover to reach sector 37 and proceed further.
• Vehicles travelling to Delhi via the Peripheral expressway to Sirsa, Parichowk can instead take the route towards Dadri, Dasna to reach their destination.
• Emergency vehicles will be allowed to go towards secure destinations amid the traffic diversions.

“They (farmers) wanted to talk to the central government, but the central government (officials) has come here to talk. Talks have been held twice and they are not denying having further talks with them. Still, they are adamant about going to Delhi…Why do they want to go to Delhi? It seems that they have some other motive…We will not let peace be disturbed. They should withdraw their call…” Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij Said on farmers march.

“The demands that they (farmers) have requested, the majority of them have been fulfilled by the government. And about the remaining demands, concerned ministers like Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai have been talking to them (farmers) since last week,” Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on the ongoing farmers agitation.

Protesting farmers forcibly removed the cement barricade in Haryana’s Kurukshetra on Tuesday.

A group of farmers from Tamil Nadu’s Trichy extended support to the ongoing ‘Delhi Chalo’ farmers’ march of Punjab farmers on Tuesday. The Trichy farmers were seen lying on the road holding human skeletons in solidarity with farmers in Punjab.

(With ANI inputs)

Calling it a “historic day”, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday announced that Congress has decided to give legal guarantee of MSP to every farmer on crops as per Swaminathan Commission.

“This step will change the lives of 15 crore farmer families by ensuring their prosperity. This is the first guarantee of Congress on the path of justice,” he said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in his remark on the farmers’ protest that has gripped Delhi-NCR, said, “Farmers in the country are not getting what they should get. That’s why the farmers are going towards Delhi, but they are being stopped, tear gas shells are being fired on them. Farmers are just saying – we should get the fruits of our hard work.”

The protesting farmers vandalised the flyover safety barriers at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border on Tuesday.

A few gates may be closed in the following stations as per security instructions, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said in a statement. However, stations are operational.

The gates that will be closed are –

1. Central Secretariat

2. Rajiv Chowk

3. Udyog Bhawan

4. Patel Chowk

5. Mandi House

6. Barakhamba Road

7. Janpath

8. Khan Market

9. Lok Kalyan Marg

Police used water cannons to disperse the protesting farmers at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border on Tuesday.

Members of Confederation of Bahadurgarh Industries-District Jhajjhar urge farmers not to hold their protest in industrial hub Bahadurgarh to ensure minimum impact on their business.

A group of Tamil Nadu farmers in Trichy lend support to ‘Delhi Chalo’ farmers’ protest.

Farmer leader P Ayyakannu says, “As per the Constitution, we can move freely within the country for our rights but the police are not allowing farmers to protest in Delhi…If PM Modi contests from any constituency in TN in the coming elections, then farmers will file nomination against him from that constituency.”

Protesters forcibly dismantle cement barricades using their tractors as they attempt to cross the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border.

Protesters forcibly dismantle cement barricades using their tractors as they attempt to cross the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border.

Arjun Munda, the Union Agriculture Minister, addressed the farmers’ protest, emphasizing the need to find solutions. He expressed concern that if political parties exploit the situation for their own interests, it could adversely affect farmers, which is something they want to avoid.

He pointed out that certain political motivations, particularly those of the Congress party, have historically failed to benefit farmers and may be at play. Munda also warned about potential instigators attempting to incite violence among the protestors and urged the farmers to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to such individuals.

On farmers’ Delhi chalo protest, IG, Ambala Range Sibash Kabiraj says “We welcome the farmers coming from Punjab but if they travel on tractors it will create problems for the people. They can travel on buses, trains or on foot. If they come on tractors, we will not allow them. Section 144 has also been imposed…”

On farmers’ Delhi chalo protest, IG, Ambala Range Sibash Kabiraj says “We welcome the farmers coming from Punjab but if they travel on tractors it will create problems for the people. They can travel on buses, trains or on foot. If they come on tractors, we will not allow them. Section 144 has also been imposed…”

Here’s what Jhajjar SP Arpit Jain said regarding security arrangements at the Tikri border in view of the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.

“The traffic advisory has already been issued and (route) diversions have also been put in place at several points. We are also ensuring that no emergency vehicle is stuck at Tikri border,” he said.

On security arrangements for farmers’ protest, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Additional CP Northern Range, Delhi Police says,” A sufficient number of police & CAPF personnel deployed on all Delhi borders. During such large-scale protests, we request the administration to designate any large area as a temporary holding area or temporary detention centre. For this protest, we’ve requested the administration to designate any large area as a temporary holding area to keep detained protestors.”

Police uses tear gas to disperse protesting farmers trying to enter New Delhi at the Punjab-Haryana border.

Concrete slabs, iron nails, barricades, barbed wires, police and paramilitary personnel deployed at Kurukshetra in Haryana as Punjab farmers are on their way to Delhi.

Here’s what farmer leader and Bhartiya Kisan Union president Naresh Tikait said when asked about the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.

“Different states have different demands. But will the farmers always stay on a protest, will they always march towards Delhi? The government should look into it. This stubborn attitude is not turning out to be good for anyone,” he said.

The Haryana Police on Tuesday hurled tear gas shells when a group of youth, who were part of the farmers’ ‘Chalo Delhi’ protest march, tried to break barricades set up at the Shambhu border in Ambala.

Despite an appeal by the Haryana Police to stay away from the barricades, many youth continued to stay put and stood over the barricades, officials said.

When a few youth broke an iron barricade and tried to throw it off the Ghaggar river bridge, the police lobbed several rounds of tear gas shells. They also used a drone later on to drop a teargas shell.