Haryana Top Cop Writes to Punjab Police As Farmers Set to Resume 'Delhi Chalo' March; Traffic Snarls Expected

After rejecting a proposal from the central government for a guaranteed price contract for their crops, the farmers are set to continue their march to Delhi on Wednesday, February 20. In view of the planned protest, the police and paramilitary forces have geared up to stop the convoy of the farmers with multi-layer arrangements at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana and other checkpoints bordering the national capital.

According to sources, the Director General of Haryana Police on Tuesday wrote to his Punjab counterpart regarding the ‘possible’ steps by protesting farmers to damage the barricades. While the Punjab DGP has written to all the district chiefs and other senior officials to stop the movement of farmers towards the protest site.

Notably, the arrangements came after farmers announced to resume their march at 11 am on Wednesday. “We will move towards Delhi on February 21 at 11 am,” said farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher.

The Ghazipur border is likely to remain shut on Wednesday. Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer) Jimmy Chiram said informed that checking vehicles on various roads leading to the central part of Delhi may lead to traffic congestion. They said commuters might face traffic congestion.

177 Social Media Accounts, Web Links Blocked

Ahead of the protest planned to take place on Wednesday, the government has ordered temporary blocking of around 177 social media accounts and web links linked to the farmers’ protest, news agency PTI reported citing its sources. The orders were issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on February 14 and 19 at the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs under section 69A of the IT Act.

Delhi Police Issues Traffic Advisory

Ahead of the farmers’ ‘Dilli Chalo’ march, the Delhi Police has asked commuters to avoid several roads in the central parts of the city on Wednesday due to special traffic arrangements.

Taking to X, the police wrote, “On 21-02-24, due to special traffic arrangements kindly avoid IP Marg in both the carriageways from IP Flyover towards A-point and vice-versa, ITO Chowk, DDU Marg, BSZ Marg, JLN Marg, Shanti Van crossing and Rajghat crossing from 9.30 am to 11.30 am.”

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police on Tuesday also directed the security personnel deployed at the city’s Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur border points to stay alert and conducted mock drills, reported news agency PTI.

Agriculture Minister Appeals to Maintain Peace

Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda on Tuesday appealed to the farmers and the farmers’ organisations that are connected with the protest to maintain peace.

“I would appeal to the farmers and the farmers organisations which are connected with this (protest) to maintain peace. We have to take it forward from discussion to solutions. We all want peace and we should together find a solution for this issue,” he said.

(With agency inputs)