Farmers Protest To Delhi: Massive security arrangements have been made at the borders with Delhi.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday engaged in a Twitter fight over farmers' "Delhi Chalo" march against the Centre's farm laws.
While Mr Singh slammed Mr Khattar for stopping farmers from moving towards the national capital, terming it as "totally undemocratic and unconstitutional", the latter told the Punjab chief minister to stop "inciting innocent farmers".
Mr Singh took to Twitter for lashing out at his counterpart in Haryana after farmers were stopped from entering the state to move towards Delhi.
After a two-hour clash on a narrow bridge near the border between Congress-ruled Punjab and Haryana, which saw thousands of farmers flung barricades into a river and throw bricks at cops and physically push vehicles, farmers managed to enter Haryana as they continued their ''Delhi Chalo'' march against the Centre's new farm laws.
Haryana, ruled by the BJP, has been using heavy force to try and block farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Kerala and Punjab making their way from Punjab towards Delhi in tractors and on foot for their two-day "Delhi Chalo" protest march against new farm laws that they fear will reduce their earnings and give more power to large retailers.
Delhi's borders at Gurugram and Faridabad have been sealed and metro services have been affected.
Here are the live updates of farmers' protest march to Delhi:
Protesting farmers stationed near Panipat, will leave for Delhi on Nov 27 morning
The farmers heading towards Delhi as part of "Delhi Chalo" protest march, against the centre's recently passed farm laws, have halted near the Panipat toll plaza at the National Highway and will depart for Delhi in the morning of November 27.
Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the farmers who broke barricades in some places in Haryana. After the night halt at Panipat, the protesting farmers will resume the march the next morning, ANI reported.
Security tightened at Singhu border (Haryana-Delhi border) and barricading being done, in the wake of farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest march, ANI reported.
I Stand By Farmers' Struggle, BJP Trying To Bulldoze Their Rights: Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday condemned the police action on farmers in Haryana and said the BJP has snatched their livelihood and is trying to curb their rights.
She slammed the saffron party for "vitiating" the atmosphere of the country and said she is ready to join the farmers' protest in Delhi and extend her support to the cause.
Towards Midnight, Water Cannons Used Against Farmers at Haryana's SonipatWater cannons started up at full spate at Haryana's Sonepat around 11 pm amid the cold wave as the police tried to disperse a small group of Punjab farmers who would not be dissuaded from their march to Delhi for an anti-farm law protest. The group has been talking to the police through the evening from across a trench and a barricade, requesting passage.
Since evening, the group of around 200 men had been standing in the middle of the road shouting slogans. Behind the barricades a small police team waited, accompanied by water cannons and the necessary arsenal for riot control. Around 9 in the evening, the tension in the tiny lit up area, surrounded by a sea of dark, showed the farmers were in no mood to pack up for the night.
Centre suppressing democratic rights of farmers to protest, says CongressThe Congress hit out at the government for using force against farmers, alleging it was suppressing their democratic right to protest by stopping them from entering Delhi to voice their concerns against the new farm laws.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the farmers are standing resolutely in the face of "cruelty" perpetrated by the Haryana Police which used water cannons and teargas to disperse hundreds of farmers who were marching towards Delhi from Punjab.
Attacking the government, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said it has taken away everything from farmers, including the Minimum Support Price (MSP), and is dousing them using water cannons, while it gives loan waiver, banks and airports to corporates.
Sharing a video of the incident, Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "The country's farmers are standing resolutely in the face of Modi government's cruelty against them."
Rajasthan Chief Minister asks Centre to hold talks with farmers without further delayRajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday asked the Centre to immediately hold talks with farmers protesting against three new agriculture-related laws.
He alleged that due to the "anti-people policies" of the NDA government, many sections of society have come out in protest.
"All the farmers' organisations in the country are together at this time, therefore, considering the urgency of the situation, the Government of India should start a dialogue with those farmers without any delay," Mr Gehlot tweeted.
"Due to the anti-people policies of the NDA government, many sections of the society have come out in protest. The farmers are also agitating against the black agricultural laws of the central government. Instead of addressing their concerns, the central government is against its own people," he claimed.
As farmers move closer to Delhi, police step up security at city's bordersAs thousands of Punjab farmers moved closer to the national capital on Thursday, the Delhi Police enhanced deployment of security personnel, stationed sand-laden trucks and water cannons and used barbed wire for fencing at the Singhu Border to prevent the protesters from entering the city.
Police said they will not allow the farmers protesting against the Centre's new farm laws to enter Delhi if they reach the borders of the national capital.
By late evening, a large number of protesters from Punjab and Haryana were close to the national capital, prompting the Delhi Police to close traffic movement at the Singhu Border in view of the ''Delhi Chalo'' march by farmers from Punjab against the farm laws.
Farmers Attacked Us, We Acted With Restraint, Says Haryana Police ChiefFarmers from Punjab marching towards Delhi to protest the centre's new agricultural laws first attacked the Haryana Police who acted with "great restraint", state police chief Manoj Yadava said on Thursday after a showdown after a day-long showdown between the two sides at border crossings.
"Many of our vehicles were damaged by farmers. We tried convincing them to stop their march. We did not use any force against the farmers," Mr Yadava said, adding the police would continue their efforts to stop the farmers from reaching Delhi.
"We handled the situation with great restraint ensuring law and order is maintained," he told news agency PTI.
Farmers' protest: Air India offers free rescheduling of flights for affected passengersAir India has said passengers affected due to traffic disruption on Thursday amid closure of the borders of the national capital region (NCR) will be allowed to reschedule their flights for free.
People coming to the national capital from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh faced traffic snarls at several border crossings as the Delhi Police intensified vehicle checking in view of the ''Delhi Chalo'' march by farmers from Punjab against the Centre's farm laws.
"In view of traffic disruption in NCR region due to closure of Delhi borders, we are allowing no-show waiver and one free reschedule to passengers who couldn't report for their flights," Air India said on Twitter.
Haryana Police handled situation with 'great restraint'', says top cop as farmers push towards Delhi
The Haryana Police acted with "great restraint" against Punjab-based farmers who broke barricades during their "Delhi Chalo" march to ensure law and order, DGP Manoj Yadava said on Thursday.
The Haryana Director General of Police said farmers were marching towards Delhi but police would try to stop them without resorting to force.
Farmers from Punjab faced water cannons and broke police barriers at the state's border with Haryana as they pushed towards the national capital in protest against the Centre's farm laws.
By late evening, a large number of protesters from Punjab and Haryana were close to Delhi, where too police were deployed in strength at border points.
I stand by farmers' struggle, BJP trying to bulldoze their rights, says Mamata BanerjeeWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday condemned the police action on farmers in Haryana and said the BJP has snatched their livelihood and is trying to curb their rights.
She slammed the saffron party for "vitiating" the atmosphere of the country and said she is ready to join the farmers' protest in Delhi and extend her support to the cause.
Ms Banerjee, who is one of the most vocal critics of BJP, slammed it as a "party of outsiders" which has no place in Bengal and said she will never allow West Bengal to be turned into a "riot-torn Gujarat".
"What has happened there (Haryana) is very unfortunate. This is the first time that we have a central government which is trying to curb all democratic and fundamental rights.
"Have Enough Food, Supplies For 2 Months": Farmers Tell NDTVAs thousands of farmers headed to Delhi on Thursday for a massive protest march, they marched alongside tractors carrying enough supplies to last them for months.
Farmers from six states had been planning the "Delhi Chalo" protest for two months against the centre's new farm laws that. Teargas, water cannons and a large police contingent failed to stop them from crossing over to Haryana en route to Delhi.
"We have enough ration for two and a half to three months," said Tarpreet Uppal, travelling in a modified tractor that is their lifeline.
Farmers' protest: Left parties slam BJP over use of teargas, water cannons on protesting farmers in HaryanaThe Left parties on Thursday hit out at the BJP-led Haryana government for using water cannons and tear gas on farmers moving towards the national capital against the Centre's farm laws, saying it revealed the "anti-farmer face" of the saffron party.
Farmers from Punjab faced water cannons and broke police barriers at the state's border with Haryana as they pushed towards the national capital in their "Delhi Chalo" march against the Centre's farm laws.
"This is an attack on the farmers by the BJP government. The CPI has always stood in support of the farmers and the violence against them is highly condemnable. This shows the true anti-farmer face of the BJP," said CPI general secretary D Raja.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury posted on Twitter photographs of protests from across the country, including that of farmers in Haryana, saying this was the "real India".
Farmers' Protest: Amarinder Singh, Manohar Khattar Spar On TwitterThe farmers' "Delhi Chalo" march became the subject of heated back and forth between the Punjab and Haryana chief ministers on Thursday as police in the latter state used tear gas shells and water cannons in coldwave-like conditions to stop farmers from reaching the national capital.
Some 500 farmers' organisations from six states - Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Kerala and Punjab - have been planning the November 26-27 march for two months to press the central government to repeal the three recently enacted contentious farm laws.
Punjab farmers had sought permission from the Haryana government to cross the state to reach Delhi, which was denied, but they marched on anyway.
"Punjab's 26/11": Sukhbir Badal As Haryana Hammers Farmers' MarchShiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday lashed out at the Haryana government for trying to stop the "Delhi Chalo" march by farmers upset with the centre's new agricultural laws, calling the attempt "Punjab's 26/11".
"Today is Punjab's 26/11. We are witnessing the end of the right to democratic protest. @Akali_Dal condemns the Haryana govt & Centre for choosing to repress the peaceful farmer movement," tweeted Mr Badal whose party broke off an alliance with the ruling BJP over the new laws.
Farmers' protest: Delhi borders witness traffic congestion due to security checks
Due to the security checks in view of farmers'' Delhi Chalo protest march, heavy traffic congestion was witnessed at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border), Delhi-Gurugram and Kalindi Kunj near Delhi-Noida border on Thursday.
Heavy security was also deployed at Singhu border Delhi-Haryana border) where drones were being used for surveillance.
Gaurav Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer North), Delhi, told ANI that no farmer groups are moving in the direction of Delhi now.
"Our staff is on high alert. We are checking all the vehicles that are coming here to make sure no farmer enters the capital. Senior officials are also patrolling the area. The same information was shared by my counterparts also," he said.
Traffic was also heavy at Kalindi Kunj near Delhi-Noida border due to checking of vehicles.
Delhi-Gurugram (Haryana) border also witnessed traffic congestion due to checking of vehicles.
Farmers protest: Delhi Metro services from neighbouring cities to remain suspended on FridayDelhi Metro services from neighbouring cities to the national capital will remain suspended on Friday in view of the ''Delhi chalo'' protest march by farmers against the Centre''s new farm laws, officials said.
However, metro services will be available from Delhi towards the NCR sections, they said.
Taking to twitter, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Thursday said, "Update for tomorrow (Friday). As advised by Delhi Police, Metro services will be available only from Delhi towards the NCR sections. However, services from the NCR stations towards Delhi will not be available due to security reasons till further notice."
In an update tweeted earlier for Thursday, the DMRC said, "From 2 pm onwards Metro services are available from Delhi towards the NCR sections. However, services from NCR sections to Delhi still continue to remain suspended due to security reasons till further notice."
On Wednesday, the DMRC had said trains would not cross borders of the national capital on Thursday till 2 pm due to farmers' protests.
Centre Treating Farmers As "Enemy Of State", Says Harsimrat Kaur BadalThe central government is treating farmers as "enemy of the State", SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal alleged today, condemning the use of force to stop them from marching towards Delhi in protest against the Centre's farm laws.
Ms Badal had resigned from the Union Cabinet in September in protest against three farm sector bills, which later got the President's assent after being passed by Parliament. She was the Union minister for food processing industries.
The Centre should not adopt a policy of confrontation with farmers. It should instead talk with them and resolve their grievances, Ms Badal said.
Farmers' Protest: Centre treating farmers as ''enemy of State'', alleges Harsimrat BadalThe central government is treating farmers as "enemy of the State", SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal alleged on Thursday, condemning the use of force to stop them from marching towards Delhi in protest against the Centre's farm laws.
Ms Badal had resigned from the Union Cabinet in September in protest against three farm sector bills, which later got the President's assent after being passed by Parliament. She was the Union minister for food processing industries.
The Centre should not adopt a policy of confrontation with farmers. It should instead talk with them and resolve their grievances, Ms Badal told PTI.
"Using force against farmers on Constitution Day has turned the day a ''black day'' for ''annadattas'' of the country," the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader said.
Farmers' protest: Today is Punjab’s 26/11, tweets Akali Dal chief
Farmers' Protest: Massive Jams At Delhi-Gurgaon Border Amid Farmers' March Chaos In HaryanaMany roads in Haryana leading to the national capital, especially those in Gurugram, were today clogged with heavy traffic as the state administration remained on high alert amid an intensifying "Delhi Chalo" protest march by farmers against the new farm laws passed by the central government in September.
Multiple traffic blocks built up through the day on many roads leading to Delhi as Haryana Police took strict measures to prevent the protesting farmers from entering the national capital. The road blocks were especially intense in places such as Kundli, near Sonipat, and on the Delhi-Gurugram border at Sirhaul and Rajokri.
The traffic build up was a result of Haryana Police personnel checking vehicles for farmers and protesters looking to enter Delhi.
Farmers' protest: The 2-Hour Standoff For Farmers And Cops On Haryana BridgePolice fired tear gas and water cannon on Thursday in clashes with several thousand farmers marching to Delhi to protest against new agricultural reforms.
The confrontation happened when police tried to stop the farmers, from Punjab, crossing a bridge about 200 kilometres (120 miles) from Delhi.
Armed with sticks and rocks, some of the farmers threw police barriers into the river below. The police opened fire with water cannon and tear gas, further enraging the protestors.
After a two-hour stand-off, police eventually allowed the marchers to continue towards the capital.
Farmers' protest: Vigil stepped up in Delhi's bordering areas, vehicles being checkedDelhi Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers in the border areas of the national capital on Thursday and all incoming vehicles were being checked in view of the ''Delhi Chalo'' march by Punjab farmers against the Centre's farm laws.
Five sand-laden trucks have been stationed at Singhu border to stop tractors being driven by the protesters. Also, drones have been deployed for security purposes, police said.
While clarifying that the borders have not been sealed, officials said all pickets have been made active, while all vehicles entering the national capital were being checked.
According to officials, it was decided that Delhi Metro trains connecting the neighbouring cities in the NCR would not cross the national capital border till 2 pm on Thursday.
AAP's Raghav Chadha slams Centre for stopping "Delhi Chalo" protest march
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Raghav Chadha on Thursday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government for trying to stop the ''Delhi Chalo'' protest march by farmers.
"Today, India's farmers are coming towards Delhi with a very valid demand of Minimum Support Prices (MSP). Farmers of the country have been gravely affected by the three laws that were created by the Centre. Using their constitutional right, farmers are coming from Punjab to lodge their protest through peaceful means," said Mr Chadha.
"The brutality with which the BJP is beating, lathi charging them and using water cannon against farmers, is really sad. This goes on to show that we are no longer free to protest in peaceful ways," he alleged.
No Covid Rules In Bihar Election, But They Apply To Farmers: Yogendra Yadav
Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav, detained by the Haryana Police at Gurugram, questioned why the state's Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala recently held a rally with farmers if the coronavirus pandemic was the cause for crackdown on protesting farmers. "It is a very strange pandemic," he told NDTV, in a jibe at the state's BJP government led by Manoharlal Khattar.
"Three days ago, Dushyant Chautala rallied thousands of farmers. No mask. No social distancing. Then there is no pandemic. Bihar election - no pandemic. When farmers gather, then there is pandemic. This must be a very strange disease," he added. (Read full story
here)
Instead of listening to farmers' voice, BJP using water cannon to disperse them: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attacked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying, instead of listening to the voices of the farmers the BJP government is using water cannons to disperse them in cold weather.
"Instead of listening to the voice of the farmers who are protesting against the laws, that snatched the support price from them, the BJP government uses water cannon to disperse them in cold weather. Everything is being taken away from the farmers while the capitalists are being given banks, airport, railway stations and loan waiver," the Congress leader tweeted (roughly translated from Hindi).
Delhi Chalo protest: Heavy police presence at Delhi-Faridabad border
Forces from at least two police stations, besides three Central Reserve Police Force battalions, have been deployed at the Delhi-Faridabad border.
Barricading has been done at four to five places on the Delhi-Faridabad border and drone cameras are also being used for security surveillance.
A group of around 20 farmers who had gathered near Majnu Ka Tila to stage protest have been detained, said Anto Alphonse, DCP (North).
Haryana, ruled by the BJP, has been using heavy force to try and block farmers making their way from Punjab towards the capital in tractors and on foot for their two-day "Delhi Chalo" protest march against new farm laws that they fear will reduce their earnings and give more power to large retailers.
Delhi Chalo farmers'march: Tense Delhi-Gurugram Border On High Alert
The Gurugram administration remained on high alert today amid an intensifying "Delhi Chalo" protest march by farmers of Punjab and Haryana against new farm laws passed by the central government in September.
The administration is particularly wary that farmers in Gurugram's villages may join the march towards the national capital. On Wednesday, thousands of Haryana's farmers had marched towards Delhi, breaching barricades and braving water cannons, stopping at Karnal and Sonipat for the night. (Read full story
here)
Farmers and opposition parties want the three laws repealed, saying these could lead to the government stopping the tradition of buying grain at guaranteed prices, a move that would disrupt a system that has so far ensured timely payments to farmers.
Activist Yogendra Yadav, 50 farmers detained in Gurgaon
Swaraj Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav has been detained by Gurugram police after he tried to cross into Delhi with 50 farmers. "The have detained me on the grounds that I have violated the pandemic act. Water cannons are being used at farmers. These three black laws were passed amid coronavirus pandemic. We will continue our protest," Mr Yadav told NDTV.
"Don't push farmers to the brink": Punjab CM amid Haryana government-farmers faceoff
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today posted a series of tweets requesting the Haryana government not to use force to stop the peaceful farmers' march, saying that the actions taken by the police were "undemocratic and unconstitutional".
Wrong to use water cannons at farmers: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has, meanwhile, expressed shock over the use of force against farmers. "Holding peaceful demonstration is a constitutional right," Mr Kejriwal tweeted. Wrong to use water cannons at farmers, he added.
Delhi Police, BSF, CISF personnel stationed at Delhi-Haryana border
Delhi Police, BSF, CISF personnel have been stationed at Delhi-Haryana border. Every vehicle is being stopped and checked. Meanwhile, farmers in Sambhal in western UP were stopped by the police and detained as they tried to begin their march.
JUST In: Farmers marching to Delhi cross border into Haryana after facing tear gas and water cannons.
Least Dushyant Chautala can do is step down and apologise to the farmers: Yogendra Yadav
Swaraj Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav said that use of water cannons against protesting farmers were unwarranted. He also called for Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala's resignation over the incident. "Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala who claims to be farmers' representative, should resign if he has any conscience. The least he can do is step down and apologise to the farmers," Mr Yadav told NDTV.
He also tweeted:
Delhi Farmer Protest: 5 Dramatic Photos of Huge Farmer-Cop Clash On Haryana Bridge
Thousands of farmers carrying sticks and swords threw barricades put up at the Haryana border into a river as they tried to force their way through for a protest march in Delhi. Tear gas shells and water cannons were used to push back the farmers, who temporarily retreated but came back in larger numbers to clash with the police. Dramatic visuals show protesters pushing off barricades off a bridge.
Banners that warn of a ban against holding a rally amid the pandemic seen at a border near Delhi. The banner, in Hindi, reads: "As per DDMA ((Delhi Disaster Management Authority)) guidelines, due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, holding a rally is banned."
Farmers from six states - Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Kerala and Punjab - have been planning the protests for two months, after the centre cleared three laws meant to bring reforms and improve farmers' earnings by allowing them to sell their produce in the commercial market, anywhere in the country.
Delhi Chalo protest: Farmers throw barricades into river at Shambhu border
Angry farmers in Haryana - headed to Delhi in tractors and on foot for protest - threw police barricades into a river this morning after tear gas and water cannons were used on them.
Last night, Haryana police used water cannons at least twice, in the freezing cold, to disperse protesting farmers and stop them from going to Delhi. But that failed to stop the protesters, who marched on, stopping at Karnal and Sonipat for the night.
The protests at Shambhu border has got tense. Farmers have jumped barricades set up by Haryana police, forcing them to use water cannons and tear gas.
"Delhi Chalo" protest march: Curbs at several Punjab-Haryana border joints
Security deployment has been increased near Karna lake in Haryana''s Karnal, in view of farmers'' ''Delhi Chalo'' protest march.
A traffic jam was witnessed on the Delhi-Jammu highway due to a strike called by farmers.
Arvind Kejriwal backs farmers, says peaceful protest is their constitutional right
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal this morning backed the farmers' protest.
"The farmers are protesting against all three laws by the centre. Instead of taking this bill back, the farmers are being stopped from protesting peacefully. Water cannons are being used on them. Such kind of injustice on farmers is not fair. Peaceful protest is their constitutional right," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted this morning.
Massive security arrangements have been made at the borders with Delhi at Gurugram and Faridabad.
Farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Kerala and Punjab have planned a march to the national capital today and tomorrow. While the Arvind Kejriwal government has said these protest marches won't be allowed, metro services have been curtailed as precautionary measures.
Massive protests are expected today by thousands of farmers who have gathered at the border of Delhi for their march towards the national capital against the centre's new farm laws. On Wednesday, protesting farmers in BJP-ruled Haryana had a tough time marching towards Delhi as the state police set up barricades and deployed water cannons across the state.