Farmers protesting against the Center’s agricultural laws threatened to block the Jaipur-Delhi highway on Sunday, intensifying their uproar. Thousands of farmers have been protesting at various border points in Delhi for more than two weeks, demanding the repeal of the new farm laws.
Farmers from Rajasthan and Haryana are likely to march towards the national capital as part of their protest, on National Highway 48 (Delhi-Jaipur highway), formerly known as NH-8.
“Groups of farmers from Rajasthan are heading towards Haryana. We will join them and meet at Shahjahanpur in Alwar near the Haryana-Rajasthan border on Saturday night and head towards Delhi on Sunday, ”said Azad Khan, Vice President of Haryana, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU).
He added that the farmers would strive to march peacefully. His march to Delhi is expected to start at 11am.
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The protesters said that the main roads linking the national capital will be blocked from Sunday and will sit on a hunger strike on December 14, when they have called for a nationwide protest.
Delhi Police have taken adequate security measures, including multi-level barricades and deployment of additional personnel. The Delhi Traffic Police has also deployed its personnel through major border points to ensure that travelers do not face any difficulties and also constantly updates people on open and closed routes on their Twitter account.
The Gurugram police, where the Delhi-Jaipur highway runs, have also prepared route diversion plans. Important points have been identified on National Highway 48, such as the Sirhaul toll plaza, Iffcco Chowk, Bilaspur Chowk and the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Highway (KMP).
Overall, more than 2,000 police officers have been deployed in different parts of the city to manage law and order, as well as traffic at key points.
Police said they were prepared to take action in the event of any adverse incident and were standing by the roadside with barricades, batons and shields, to act immediately.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Som Prakash, who is among government representatives negotiating with farmers protesting against three new farm laws, said on Saturday that efforts are being made to convene the next round of meetings with farmers. leaders of the turmoil soon to end the stalemate.
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Stating that the government is ready for discussions at any time, Prakash, the Minister of State for Trade and Industries and a Punjab MP, said the Center is “concerned” about protesting farmers and urged them to come to the discussion table.
Farmer leaders, however, said they are willing to hold talks with the government, but will first discuss repealing the three new farm laws.
At least five rounds of formal talks have taken place between the Center and farmer representatives, but the stalemate has continued with unions sticking to their main demand for repeal of the three contentious laws.
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