India / Delhi Police uses trucks filled with sand to stop farmers' tractors

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police on Thursday strengthened its presence in border areas of the national capital in view of the 'Delhi chalo' protest march by farmers against the Centre's new farm laws.

At the Singhu border, the Delhi Police stationed trucks filled with sand to stop movement of tractors driven by farmers, police said.

This is the first time that the city police has stationed trucks filled with sand at border points.

Police said the border has not been sealed but they are checking all vehicles entering the national capital.

Earlier, the Delhi Police had rejected requests from various farmer organisations to protest in the national capital against the Centre's new farm laws on November 26 and 27.

The police had on Tuesday said that legal action would be taken against the protesting farmers if they come to the city for any gathering amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The farmers are scheduled to reach Delhi on Thursday through five highways connecting the city as part of their 'Delhi Chalo' march call.

Delhi Metro trains will not cross the borders of the national capital with neighbouring cities on Thursday till 2 pm in view of the march by farmers.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said that no metro services will be available from Anand Vihar to Vaishali and New Ashok Nagar to Noida City Centre sections during this period.

No metro services will be available between Sultanpur and Guru Dronacharya metro stations on Thursday till 2 pm.

However, regular metro services will remain available in entire section of Airport and Rapid Metro Lines during the same period.

Taking to Twitter, the city police had said requests have been rejected for any such gathering in the city.

"REGARDING FARMER ORGANIZATIONS MARCH TO DELHI ON 26&27 NOVEMBER. All the requests received from various Farmer Organisations regarding protest in Delhi on 26 and 27 November have been rejected and this has already been communicated to the organisers," the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) had tweeted.

"Please co-operate with Delhi Police in ensuring no gathering in Delhi amid coronavirus, failing which legal action will be initiated as per law," it had said.

Delhi Police PRO Eish Singhal had said, "Various farmer organisations have requested for permission for protest in Delhi on November 26 and 27. We have conveyed to them in writing and through various media also that the protest is not permitted in view of the latest DDMA guidelines."

"When the condition is good, they can seek due permission and exercise their right to protest in Delhi. For now, they are requested to cooperate with Delhi Police and not indulge in any kind of protest. If despite our appeal they turn up to Delhi, the required legal action will be taken against them," Singhal had said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (east) Jasmeet Singh had said, "The main focus of our will be on Ghazipur border, Chilla border and DND. Heavy deployment of police personnel is already there and the checking will take place round the clock. The paramilitary force is also placed. Police will also check the other small borders of the district."

Police said all border pickets have been made active.

"We have deployed heavy force at the bordering areas of the district. Eight companies of paramilitary will be assisting police at the borders," Deputy Commissioner of Police (southeast) R P Meena had said.

The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh and various factions of the Bharatiya Kisan Union have joined hands and formed a ''Samyukta Kisan Morcha'' to press the central government to scrap the three farm laws.

A seven-member committee has also been formed to coordinate the operations of the Morcha.

Farmers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporates.

They have been demanding that the laws be repealed.