Heavy traffic jam at Delhi border on 2nd day of farmers' protest

Heavy traffic jam at Delhi border on 2nd day of farmers' protest

Traffic got really bad at the Delhi-Ghaziabad border on Wednesday because of the farmers' protest and the security checks by the authorities.

At the Singhu Border in Delhi, Rapid Action Force personnel, police, and Riot Control Vehicles are now present due to the ongoing farmers' protest. Security has been increased a lot at the Shambhu border in Ambala, Haryana, after clashes between farmers and police on Tuesday.

Furthermore, they are working to make the Tikri Border stronger by adding more concrete between the slabs as the farmers continue their march towards the national capital on the second day.

Right now, everything is calm. Traffic has been redirected, and people are moving around normally," DSP Kumar informed the reporters.

Sarwan Singh Pandher, General Secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, mentioned that they wish for the Prime Minister to come forward and have a conversation with the farmers.

Media reports suggest that the law ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) cannot be established quickly. What we are asking for is a legal assurance on MSP to ensure we don't sell our crops below that price. So, forming a committee is not necessary. We would like the Prime Minister to come forward and talk to the farmers," Pandher explained.

On Tuesday, the farmers involved in the protest were observed trying to break through the multiple layers of barricades using their tractors and handheld weapons. In response, the Haryana police detained several protesting farmers. At Kurukshetra in Haryana, concrete slabs, iron nails, barricades, barbed wires, and both police and paramilitary personnel were deployed, anticipating the 'Delhi Chalo' march by the farmers. To maintain law and order, the Delhi police implemented Section 144, which restricts the entry of tractor-trolleys and large groups.

The farmers who are protesting state that the government assured them of improved crop prices, leading to the conclusion of the 2021 protest. They are now calling for the implementation of a law that ensures a minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, following the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission report.

The farmers are heading to Delhi with 12 requests that they have presented to the central government. The current protest is organized by Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, led by farmer union leaders Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher.

They are also requesting a total cancellation of debts and a program to offer pensions to both farmers and farm laborers.

The farmers are also asking to discard the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020. They insist on reinstating the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, ensuring farmers' consent and compensation at four times the collector rate.

The farmers are also asking for justice in the Lakhimpur Kheri killings. They're appealing for 200 days of work each year with a daily wage of Rs 700 under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA), connected to farming.

They're also asking for compensation for the families of farmers who passed away during the protests in 2021. And, they want a job to be provided for any family member.

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