‘Dilli Chalo’ march: Multilayer barricading at Shambhu border

Tribune News Service

Nitish Sharma

Ambala, February 12

As the uncertainty related to the farmers’ protest continues, elaborated arrangements have been made to thwart the proposed march, at the Shambhu border on NH-44 in Ambala.

While multilayer barricading and paramilitary forces were already stationed at the inter-state border, the security forces conducted mock drills, tested water cannons and dropped teargas shells with the help of drones on the Punjab side of the border this morning. However, later in the day, a group of farmers on the Punjab side removed concrete blocks placed on the way to the Ghaggar river to curb the entry of protesters. After the Shambhu and Ambala-Hisar highways, other national highways — Ambala-Chandigarh and Ambala-Kala Amb — along with a few local routes, which were partially operational until now, have also been barricaded. The closure of these routes has become a source of inconvenience for many commuters, especially those travelling to the PGI, Chandigarh. Even ambulances ferrying patients were seen taking U-turns due to blocked roads. An ambulance driver said they were not alerted at previous checkpoints that the Chandigarh road had been closed. Some arrangements should have been made for ambulances, he said.

The traffic in Shahabad was moving at a snail’s pace due to which many commuters had to take alternative routes through congested villages. The traffic coming from Karnal was diverted towards Saha from Shahabad. An official said the Shahabad Markanda bridge may be closed soon.

Meanwhile, Ambala DC Shaleen and SP Jashandeep Singh Randhawa held a meeting with commanders of the security forces and duty magistrates.

The duty magistrates were asked to take action under Section 129, CrPC, to maintain law and order. The DC and the SP also inspected arrangements at the Shambhu border.

The DC said, “Elaborate arrangements have been made and 13 checkpoints have been established. We have received a tip-off regarding a few miscreants who might try to create ruckus. We have requested people, through announcements made by patwaris, to not participate in the march or else they would be liable to action.”

SP Randhawa said, “A close watch is being kept on the movement of protesters and preventive measures would be taken if any person is found violating orders. Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex in Sector 10 will be used as a temporary jail.”

State Home Minister Anil Vij said, “Farmers are ‘annadatas’, and are important for the Centre. Ministers from the Centre are holding meetings with farmers and I am hopeful that the matter will be resolved through dialogue. But at the same time, all measures are being taken to maintain law and order in the state.”

TRAINS NOT AFFECTED

Divisional Railway Manager Ambala Division Mandeep Singh Bhatia has said trains are running smoothly on all routes, but the Railways is on alert. A close watch is being kept on the situation.

PROTESTERS REMOVE CONCRETE BLOCKS

A group of farmers on the Punjab side of the border removed concrete blocks which had been placed on way to the Ghaggar river to prevent the entry of protesters.

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