Police gear up to counter farmers’ Delhi Chalo call

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 11

Ahead of the farmer’s call for “Delhi Chalo” on February 13, the Delhi Police are gearing up to prevent a repeat of the January 26, 2021, incident that injured many people and their personnel.

The farmers have given a call for marching to Delhi on Tuesday, raising several demands regarding the minimum support price (MSP), implementation of the Swaminathan commission, debt waivers and pension benefits.

The Delhi Police have begun their preparations to stop them from entering the Capital. Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora visited the Singhu and Tikri borders to inspect security arrangements on Sunday. Police barricades and concrete blocks have been erected and iron nail strips have been laid down on roads.

Section 144 imposed in some areas

• Section 144 has been imposed in some areas as a precautionary measure
• The police are also using drone facilities for surveillance in the area and strict checking is under way
• Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora visited Singhu, Tikri borders to inspect security arrangements.

In some areas, the police have imposed Section 144 as a precautionary measure. “Information has been received that some farmer organisations have given a call to their supporters to gather/march to Delhi on February 13 regarding their demands. They are likely to sit at the border of Delhi till their demands are met. In order to avoid any untoward incident and maintain law and order, a precautionary order of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, is required to be issued to save the lives and property in the area,” the Delhi Police said in an order. The police are also using drone facilities for surveillance in the area and strict checking is under way to not let law and order go out of hand.

The order prohibits the gathering of the public at border areas between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh and the entry of tractors, trolleys, buses, trucks, commercial vehicles etc from UP.

The Delhi Police are also keeping a strong watch on social media for any inflammatory posts ahead of the protests. In January 2021, several farmers protesting against the three farm laws of the Central Government entered the Capital and a section of protesters went violent. Some protesters also reached the Red Fort and hoisted their flags. The protesters clashed with the police, leaving several persons injured, including damage to police vehicles.

The Haryana and Punjab Police are also maintaining strong vigilance on the border areas in coordination with the Delhi Police. Haryana has also erected barricades, concrete blocks and heavy personnel deployment On the borders connecting Delhi.

However, due to the heightened security, traffic congestion was seen on the GT Road near Karnal.

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Tribune News Service

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