Looks like the Delhi Police board is full. A day after the Cockroach Janta Party’s march to Parliament, which witnessed violence across central Delhi, another major mobilization is underway as a large group of farmers set out for the national capital to attend the farmers’ meeting.
What is a meeting?
A Kisan Mahapanchayat, under the slogan ‘Desh Bachao Morcha’, against the proposed Indo-US trade deal, will be held at Kisan Ghat in Delhi on Tuesday. Farmer leaders had earlier said that participants from several places, including Punjab and Haryana, will attend the mahapanchayat.
News agency ANI published photos of more than 1,000 farmers gathered at the Shambu border, which separates Punjab and Haryana. A heavy police presence was seen at the border point, where barriers were erected and cement blocks were placed on the bridge over the Ghaggar River.
Farmer leader accuses Haryana CM
Farmer leader from Punjab, Sarwan Singh Pandheer, on Tuesday morning criticized the Haryana government for barricading the Shambhu border point to prevent them from heading to Delhi to participate in the Kisan Mahapanchayat.
Pandher said the farmers wanted to proceed peacefully to Delhi, but the Haryana government stopped them at the Shambu border.
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Speaking to reporters in Fatehgarh Sahib, Bhandar claimed that this revealed the “true face” of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who frequently visits Punjab and makes big promises to its people.
Haryana farm leader arrested
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Sharouni) president Gurnam Singh Charuni was arrested by police in Haryana’s Kurukshetra district on Monday while he was on his way to Delhi to participate in farmers’ ‘mahapanchayat’ against the proposed Indo-US trade deal, sparking protests at several places.
The group’s spokesman, Prince Warraich, said police intercepted Sharuni’s car on National Highway 152D near Pehwa.
“He was detained. Later, police officials took him away,” Warraich said.
Soon after news of Sharuni’s arrest spread, farmers gathered at the toll plaza on the Hisar-Chandigarh stretch of the national highway in Thana village and began a sit-in.
They raised slogans against the BJP-led Centre, spread mats on the road and sat on them, while police remained deployed to monitor the situation.
Delhi Police issues traffic alerts
The Delhi Traffic Police issued a traffic warning on July 21 in view of a demonstration by farmers at Kisan Ghat in the national capital.
Commuters have been advised to avoid major transfer points, including Delhi Gate, Rajghat Crossing, Guru Nanak Chowk, Shantivan Chowk, Rajghat DTC Depot and IP Flyover, as there may be traffic restrictions and diversions. The advisory also urges motorists to avoid Satyagrah Marg, Velodrome Road, Rajghat DTC Depot Road, Rajghat DTC Bypass Road, surrounding roads and adjoining stretches due to possible closures.
