Delhi: Farmers’ rally turns violent, 30 injured

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Oct 02, 2018: Thousands of farmers allied with the Bhartiya Kisan Union have gathered on the UP-Delhi border, waiting to enter the national capital on the 10th day of their protest march. Anticipating trouble, the Delhi Police imposed prohibitory orders in east and northeast Delhi.

 

Miffed by imposition of Section 144 during a ’peaceful’ protest, farmers’ body president Naresh Tikait said, "Why have we been stopped here (at UP-Delhi border)? The rally was proceeding in a disciplined manner. If we don’t tell our government about our problems then whom do we tell? Do we go to Pakistan or Bangladesh?"

Delhi Police used water cannons to disperse farmers at the Delhi-UP border on NH-24 where thousands of farmers have been stopped from marching ahead. .

Tear gas shells and lathicharge were also used to disperse the farmers.

Rajnath Singh meets farmers

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has spoken to the agitating farmers. The Centre has sought for more time to feel the crop growers’ demand, sources tell CNN-News18.

Farmers try to push RAF personnel to enter Delhi

In wake of the tense situation on UP-Delhi, Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed. However, the agitated farmers are unwinlling to listen to the force, even as they try to pacify them. Some farmers also tried to push the personnel and enter the national capital. "We have got strict order not to let anybody cross the border. We had anticipated all of this, which is why we had come prepared. Nobody likes violence but law and order needs to be maintained. We cannot be partial," said Rajendra Singh Sagar, additional deputy commissioner of police (Outer).


The protesting farmers engaged in an argument with police after Bharatiya Kisan Union’s Haryana chief fell unconscious on the road due to the tear gas. Thousands of farmers allied with the BKU are locked in a tense standoff at the UP-Delhi border with the police, trying to breach barricades to march towards the national capital.

Section 144 imposed in North and East Delhi

In east Delhi, the prohibitory orders, issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Pankaj Singh under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, would be in force until October 8. It covers Preet Vihar, Jagatpuri, Shakarpur, Madhu Vihar, Ghazipur, Mayur Vihar, Mandawli, Pandav Nagar, Kalyanpuri and New Ashok Nagar police station limits.

In northeast Delhi, the prohibitory orders were issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) Atul Kumar Thakur and will be in force till October 4.

BKU national spokesman Rakesh Tikait alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government and the Centre had not fulfilled the demands of the farmers. "We have organised the march to press for implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, loans waiver and scrapping the ban on plying of 10-year-old tractors in the national capital region among others," he said.

The Delhi Police are also in touch with their counterpart in Uttar Pradesh to ensure that the protesting farmers do not enter Delhi. "They have not sought any permission from the Delhi Police for the protests," a senior police official said.

The order prohibits assembly of five or more people and holding of any public meeting. It also prohibits the usage of any amplifier, loudspeaker, and similar instruments.

According to the orders, police have received information that BKU president Rakesh Tikait, along with a large number of protestors, is on a march — Kisan Kranti Yatra — from Haridwar to Kisan Ghat in New Delhi.

The march is being organised from Patanjali (Uttarakhand) to Kisan Ghat (Delhi) via Muzaffarnagar, Daurala, Partapur, Modi Nagar/Muradnagar, Hindon Ghat between September 23 to October 2, Thakur said.

It will pass through Ghaziabad (in Uttar Pradesh) and will proceed via Preet Vihar and Geeta Colony flyover in east Delhi on Tuesday.

"A large number of protesters are likely to come in Delhi from bordering areas of east district. This may create law and order situation and may disturb the peace and tranquillity and endanger human life or property in the area of east district," Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Pankaj Singh said.

Northeast Delhi DCP Thakur said, "As it has been experienced in the past, during the Kisan Kranti Yatra, a large number of protestors/participants plans to enter in the area of north-east district from the borders of Delhi-Uttar Pradesh."

The protesters are proceeding towards Delhi with hundreds of tractor-trolleys and private vehicles, according to the order by the DCP (East). They may also be carrying sticks/lathis/cans and possibility of them turning unruly cannot be ruled out on slightest provocation, it said.

"The yatra, thus has potential of disruption of traffic and creating law and order problems. Hence, it is essential to maintain law and order and peace in the national capital territory of Delhi with intent to avoid any inconvenience to general public," said the order.

There are also instructions against carrying firearms, stones and corrosive substances.

The protestors are marching towards the national capital with their several demands including farm loan-waiver.

Section 144 of the CrPC of 1973 empowers an executive magistrate to prohibit an assembly of more than four people in an area.

The Delhi Traffic Police has also issued an advisory asking motorists to avoid the Meerut Expressway.

"In view of the large scale gathering of protestors on the Ghazipur border, the motorists going towards Ghaziabad, Hapur, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Roorkee, Haridwar are advised to avoid the Meerut Expressway (Ghazipur Border) and take alternative routes as per their convenience," the advisory said.

Those going towards Ghaziabad can take Ghazipur Chowk, Road No 56 towards ISBT Anand Vihar, Apsara Border, GT Road and Mohan Nagar, it said.

Commuters can also drive through Shahdara, Dilshad Garden, Mohan Garden to reach Ghaziabad.

For going towards Noida, commuters have been advised to take DND Flyover, Noida Link Road and Mahamaya Flyover.

"The farmers are sad. They are in trouble. But the government is sleeping. On the day, Indians all over the world are celebrating Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary, Modi government is resorting to lathicharge and tear gas. Is this the way to behave with aggrieving farmers, especially on non-violence day? The people will teach them a lesson during general elections in 2019," said Randeep Surjewala as violence breaks out on Delhi-UP border during Kisan Kranti Padyatra.

Reacting on the tense situation near UP-Delhi border during Kisan Kranti Yatra, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said that the BJP government had not fulfilled the promises it made to farmers. "So it is all but natural that farmers would protest. It is unfortunate and we fully support the farmers," he said.

Courtesy: Yahoo.com