As thousands of farmers embarked on the ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest march towards the national capital, stringent security measures have been put in place along the borders of Delhi and neighbouring states to thwart their entry into the city.
Security forces are on high alert as farmers’ tractor convoys neared the national capital. DCP Ankit Singh of the North East District said Section 144 had been clamped to restrict the assembly of people and the entry of tractor trolleys into Delhi. Over 2,000 personnel from various units including the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and the Crime Branch have been deployed to maintain law and order, he said.
The ‘Delhi Chalo’ march follows inconclusive talks between farmer leaders and Union Ministers, with the former determined to push forward their agenda despite the heavy security presence.
Authorities in Haryana have bolstered security at the state’s borders with Punjab, employing concrete blocks, iron nails, and barbed wire in locations including Ambala, Jind, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, and Sirsa. Riot control vehicles, including water cannons, have also been deployed along the Punjab and Haryana borders to deter the advancing protesters.
Multi-layered barricading is in place at the Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur borders to seal off entry points to Delhi. These barricades, fortified with concertina wires, nails, concrete blocks, and containers, aim to prevent protesters from breaching the city’s defences. Drones are being used to monitor the situation from above.
Over 50 companies comprising Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel equipped with tear gas launchers, bulletproof vests, helmets, batons, and advanced weaponry have been stationed at strategic points along the Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur borders. Sophisticated weapons are also at hand to manage any escalation during the protest march.
Iron barricades, jersey barriers, shipping containers, barbed wire fencing, iron nails, hydra cranes, buses, and other vehicles have been utilized to create multi-layered blockades at the borders, further impeding the progress of the protesting farmers.
The Delhi Police has imposed prohibitory orders banning the entry of processions of tractors, trucks, or other vehicles into the city for a month. Additionally, traffic restrictions have been implemented at the Singhu, Ghazipur, and Tikri borders to prevent vehicles carrying protesters from entering Delhi.