Police intensify vigil, vehicles checked for arms

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 14

On the second day of the farmers’ march towards the Capital, heavy deployment of Rapid Action Force (RAF), Delhi Police personnel and riot control vehicles kept a close watch on the movement of vehicles at the interstate borders here on Wednesday.

To stop farmers entering Delhi, the police have step up security measures at the Delhi-Noida border.

Metro record

New Delhi: The Delhi Metro on Tuesday broke its record for highest passenger journey by registering a staggering 71.09 lakh commuters. The massive passenger journey was witnessed due to the traffic gridlock in many areas of the Capital owing to the farmers’ call to march towards Delhi. It surpassed the earlier record of 71.03 lakh ridership on September 4, 2023. TNS

These measures led to a traffic deadlock at the Delhi-Noida border. Commuters said every vehicle was being checked thoroughly by the police. On February 12, the Delhi Police had imposed Section 144 in the entire city till March 12.

The Delhi police order said for maintaining peace, tranquillity, public safety and public order, they had prohibited assembly, carrying processions/rallies, and use of loudspeakers.

Vehicles are being rigorously checked for carrying lathis, rods, banners, firearms, explosives, corrosive substances, brickbats, boulders or similar objects, leading to a massive traffic jam at the Delhi-Noida Direct Flyway (DND) borders. Commuters took to social media to complain about the problems being faced by them at the borders.

An X (formerly Twitter) user, Harshdeep Rapal, who is an entrepreneur, said his vehicle was stopped and he was asked many questions.

“Was ‘randomly’ stopped at Delhi-Noida border (there are a lot of barricades and barbed wires placed at the checking point) on DND and asked a lot of questions on where to and why I am going and asked to show my IDs by security folks. They suspected I might be from Punjab and guessed I must be farmer,” he wrote on X.

The Delhi Traffic Police on X said, “Due to the deployment of picket/checking on DND Flyway, traffic is heavy on both the carriageways of the DND Flyway. Commuters from Noida to Delhi and vice-versa are advised to take alternative routes like Chilla Border route.”

The Delhi Police have fortified the national capital with barricades, concrete blocks and tyre deflators. On Tuesday, commuting was a nightmare due to these arrangements and other diversions at borders that connect Delhi with neighbouring areas. Traffic was moving at a snarl’s pace and commuters, mostly office-goers, were stuck in a jam for hours.

About The Author

Tribune News Service

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.