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- Published: November 29, 2020 12:45
New Delhi: Thousands of farmers, protesting against Centre’s new farm laws, rejected Union Home Mminister Amit Shah’s proposal for a discussion on their grievances. They have been marching from Punjab under the “Dilli Chalo” campaign.
The farmers said the offer was a conditional one as the Home Minister wanted them their protest to move to a designation spot in the national capital, if they agreed to talks.
They have decided not to move to Delhi’s Burari ground and rather stay put at the border.
The farmers’ decision also holds significance as PM Modi, in his monthly radio address ‘Mann ki Baat’, hailed the farm laws and said that “agricultural reforms” have “unshackled” the farmers and given them “new rights and opportunities”.
Farmers were seen sitting together and discussing their future plans regarding the protest. During the meeting, the farmers raised anti-government slogans, saying that “fulfill our demands” and “we will not go back”.
“Will block 5 entry points to Delhi,” says farmers’ leader
We want to apologise to media for misbehaviour with them by a few protesters unknowingly. To avoid such situations in future, we've decided that after every meeting, an official press note will be released by us for media: Surjeet Singh Phul, President, BKU Krantikari (Punjab) https://t.co/7EJ3zMiTOT pic.twitter.com/J754KOrAJ9
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2020
Instead of going to open jail in Burari, we've decided that we will gherao Delhi by blocking 5 main entry points to Delhi. We've got 4 months ration with us, so nothing to worry. Our Operations Committee will decide everything: Surjeet S Phul, President, BKU Krantikari (Punjab) https://t.co/aH5xm26WAi pic.twitter.com/2L0yL7vVmf
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2020
We've decided that we'll never go to Burari Park as we got proof that it's an open jail. Delhi Police told Uttarakhand Farmer Association President that they'll take them to Jantar Mantar but instead locked them at Burari Park: Surjeet S Phul, President, BKU Krantikari (Punjab) https://t.co/6pJOqIahh5 pic.twitter.com/97ePCMknnI
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2020
Meanwhile, Tikri border has been closed for any traffic as the farmers continue to protest the Centre’s farm laws, said Delhi Traffic Police. With this, the available open borders to Haryana are Jharoda, Dhansa, Daurala Jhatikera, Badusari, Kapashera, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera.
Delhi: Farmers continue their protest against the farm laws, at Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari, the govt designated place for the protest.
"Our leaders are holding a meeting. We will follow whatever they decide," says an agitating farmer. pic.twitter.com/J6AbZyVr4m
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2020
#UPDATE: A meeting of farmers underway at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana) as they continue their protest against the farm laws. https://t.co/C4Ps6AR56Y
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2020
“Tikri border is closed for any traffic movement. Available Open Borders to Haryana are following Borders Jharoda, Dhansa, Daurala Jhatikera, Badusari, Kapashera, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam vihar and Dundahera borders,” Delhi Traffic Police tweeted.
Manjeet Sheoran, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) East District said that the farmers have not been allowed to move anywhere except Burari.
“If they (farmers) are planning to move towards Burari, we will accompany them till there but permission has not been granted to them to move somewhere else. We have outside forces and Delhi Police constables are with us. We have all the adequate arrangements,” said Sheoran.
Delhi: Farmers protesting against the farm laws stay put at Tikri border amid police deployment.
Government has given permission to the agitating farmers to hold their protest at Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari. #DelhiChaloProtest pic.twitter.com/GLFRXQmIye
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2020
On the other hand, commuters headed towards the national capital from other states said they are facing problems due to road blockade at the Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border).
Security has been beefed up at the Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) as farmers’ protest continues, some protesters are expected to conduct a meeting at 11 am on Sunday to discuss their next strategy.
They (agitating farmers) are sitting peacefully & have been cooperating till now. Our objective is to maintain law & order & to ensure that the arrangements are in place to facilitate their movement: Surendra Yadav, Joint CP, Northern Range, Delhi pic.twitter.com/Aep9uc827E
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2020
Farmers at the border decided yesterday that they will continue their protest here and will not go anywhere else. The security has also been tightened on the Delhi-Haryana border as farmers, who are opposing the farm laws, stayed put at the Delhi border points.
The farmers further said the government should come forward with an “open heart” and not with a “condition”.
The Delhi administration has allotted the Burari ground to the farmers for protesting. While some hundred shifted there on Saturday morning after they were allowed to enter Delhi through the Tikri border, thousand others are demanding that they be allowed to enter the heart of the city.