Delhi remains under tight security as protesting farmers are determined to march to national capital

New Delhi, February 14

With protesting farmers seeking to march to the national capital, security remained tight on Wednesday with personnel deployed in huge numbers and barricades regulating movement in central Delhi and at border points with Haryana, which can cause hardships to commuters.

The traffic movement at Singhu (Delhi-Sonepat) and Tikri borders (Delhi-Bahadurgarh) is suspended, an official said, adding that the security personnel in anti-riot gear are deployed and drones being used to keep an eye on the situation.

Multiple layers of barricades, concrete blocks, iron nails and container walls have been placed at Singhu and Tikri borders as well as at Ghazipur border.

An official said the security arrangements at border points and in central Delhi could be increased if required.

With massive security arrangements at the three border points, commuters may again face difficulties in reaching their destinations.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are spearheading the ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation to put pressure on the BJP-led Centre for their demands, including a law on a minimum support price for crops and loan waivers.

On Tuesday, farmers from Punjab faced tear gas shells — some dropped by a drone — at two border points of Haryana-Punjab as protesters tried to break past barricades that were installed to stop them from heading to Delhi.

Traffic crawled at many places in the Delhi-National Capital Region on Tuesday as well due to the barricading at border and in several parts of Delhi.

The metro commuters had to face difficulties as some gates of nine metro stations in Central Delhi were shut till the evening.

The Red Fort complex was temporarily closed for visitors on Tuesday.

The Delhi Police has issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC for a month — banning an assembly of five or more people, processions or rallies and the entry of tractor-trolleys ferrying people.