IANS Photo
Chandigarh, February 14 (IANS) Huge security build-up continued on inter-state borders between Punjab and Haryana on the second day on Wednesday, as assembled protesting farmers are adamant on heading to the national capital to lodge their protest over unfulfilled demands, including legal guarantee of minimum support prices (MSP) of crops.
Police used tear gas on demonstrators in a bid to stop farmers’ protests from reaching the capital. Scores of policemen and farmers got injured in stone pelting that ensued between them.
The farmers -- representing over 200 farmer unions -- also want waiver of farm loans and criminal cases against those protesting farm laws dropped.
Makeshift hospitals have been started at the site by the farmer unions and even the Punjab government has alerted nearby government hospitals and community health centres to tackle any emergency.
Supporting the cause of the farmers, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema wrote on X: “We strongly and vehemently condemn the attacks and atrocities on farmers, who are well within their rights to protest democratically. These attacks show the draconian mindset of @BJP4India and @cmohry. Government must call farmers for a constructive dialogue and listen to their demands.”
Drones were also used to drop tear gas shells on the thousands gathered, while several farmers were detained at the border.
The farmers on Tuesday damaged multi-layer barricades put up by the police to stop them at the border, by removing cement and barbed wire fencing with tractors.
The farmers were trying to break the barricades in a bid to cross the Singhu border to enter Haryana from Punjab and head to the national Capital.
The farmers intend to march to Delhi from the Ambala-Shambhu, Khanauri-Jind, and Dabwali borders.
Mobile internet services have been suspended in seven districts of Haryana and Section 144 was imposed in Panchkula and Chandigarh.
Farmers protest: Delhi borders sealed, traffic advisory issued for commuters
After the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders were completely sealed in view of the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march, the Delhi Traffic Police have issued an advisory for commuters for alternate routes and diversions.
On Tuesday, police had completely sealed Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur borders after farmers clashed with the police at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border and in Haryana's Jind district on Tuesday, leaving several people injured.
According to traffic cops, owing to various farmer organisations 'agitation' that started on Tuesday, farmers from adjoining states may try to move towards Delhi by various means to participate in the above said protest.
“NH-44 beyond Singhu Border has been closed for general traffic. Other connected roads going towards NH-44 - Sonipat/Panipat are also affected,” said a senior traffic police official.
However, two lanes of NH-9 and one lane of NH-24 at Gazipur Border are open for the general public.
“Similarly two lanes of DND are also open for commuters. However, there is slow traffic movement, as such commuters are advised to plan their journey accordingly and avoid these stretches specially during peak hours. Vehicular traffic of Singhu Border and adjacent border intending to go towards NH-44 may exit from the following border via Eastern Peripheral Expressway,” said the traffic police.
In its advisory, the traffic police said that vehicular traffic going to Haryana on NH-44 and reached Apsara Border/Maharajpur Border may use/divert to Dabur Chowk Mohan Nagar- Ghaziabad - Hapur Road - GT Road - Delhi Meerut Expressway (25 km) - Dasna- take left turn to Eastern Peripheral Expressway (44 km) - Rai Cut and reach NH- 44, total 69 kms.
“Vehicular traffic going to Haryana on NH-44 and reached Loni Border may use/divert to Inderpuri Loni - Puja Pavi - Panchlok - Mandola - Musoorie- Khekra (29 KM) - left turn to Eastern Peripheral Expressway (19 km)- Rai cut (NH-44), total 43 kms,” it said.
“Vehicular traffic going to Haryana on NH-44 and Sabhapur Border - to take service lane Delhi Dehradun Expressway (K Mandola Mussoorie- Khekra (14 km) Expressway (19 km)- Rai cut (NH-44) Total 39 KM.
"Vehicular traffic going to Haryana on NH-44 and Sonia Vihar Border straight to Tronica City Marg Tronica City take left turn Delhi Dehradun Expressway (7 km) Mandola Musoorie Khekra (10 km) - left turn to Eastern Peripheral Expressway (19 KM)- Rai cut (NH-44),” it said.
The advisory further said that vehicular traffic going to Haryana on NH-44 and reached Bhopura Border may use/divert to Loni Bhopura Road - Koyal Enclave Thana Teela Morh Loni- Banthla flyover Hanuman Mandir Loni- take U turn towards Puja Pavi Panchlok -Mandola - Musoorie- Khekra (26 KM) left turn to Eastern Peripheral Expressway (19 KM)- Rai cut (NH-44).
“Traffic coming from Ghaziabad towards Delhi may enter from Maharajpur Border near ISBT Anand Vihar via Vaishali - Kaushambi. Traffic coming from Ghaziabad towards Delhi from Gazipur border may also enter from Khoda Colony, Mayur Vihar Phase-III via paper market, Pragati Marg, Mayur Vihar Phase,” it said.
“Traffic coming from Delhi and going to Ghaziabad through Gazipur border may take either Pushta Road in front of Akshardham temple or from Patparganj Road/Mother Dairy Road or from Chaudhary Charan Singh Marg ISBT Anand Vihar and may exit from Maharajpur or Apsara border in Ghaziabad,” it added.
