New Delhi/Noida: Farmers from different parts of Uttar Pradesh demanding adequate compensation for their lands acquired by the government marched towards Delhi on Monday but were stopped at the Noida-Delhi border where they sat on a dharna. The farmers said if their demands were not met within seven days, they would again march towards Delhi.
Raising slogans of "Bol Kisan, Halla Bol", the protesting farmers gathered at the Mahamaya flyover on the Dadri-Noida link road and began their 'Delhi Chalo' march around 11:30 am. Massive traffic snarls caused inconvenience to commuters crossing the Delhi-Noida borders as police set up multiple layers of barricades and deployed heavy security to stop the march, which coincided with Parliament's Winter Session.
Bumper-to-bumper traffic was witnessed at Noida's Chilla border for several hours as the protesters, waving banners and flags of various farmer groups, crossed the initial barricades. They were finally stopped near Dalit Prerna Sthal, around a kilometre from the Chilla border, an entry point to Delhi, where senior police officers tried to pacify them.
Traffic on the stretch resumed around 6 pm after the protesting farmers were given a week to fulfil their various demands, including the payment of land acquisition dues, as mandated by the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.
In a statement, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) -- an umbrella organisation of 12 farmers' bodies -- said the farmers had decided to stay at Dalit Prerana Sthal for the time being following assurances from the authorities that the chief secretary would meet to "discuss and settle their demands". It said the agitation would continue till their demands were met.
Heavy Security Arrangements: With the winter session of Parliament underway, security arrangements have been tightened in Delhi and the NCR region. More than 4,000 policemen have been deployed in a three-layer security system, with barricades in place and traffic routes diverted to manage the protest. The police are working to prevent the farmers from entering Delhi.
Mahamaya Flyover Traffic Jam: The march began with farmers gathering at Dalit Prerna Sthal before moving forward. As the group reached Mahamaya Flyover, a massive traffic jam ensued. A large police force is stationed at Yamuna Pradhikaran, where farmers have gathered with their tractors. The farmers plan to proceed towards Delhi on their tractors.
Farmers' Demands: The protesting farmers are demanding a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP), farm loan waivers, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, withdrawal of police cases and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. They are also calling for the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for families of farmers, who died during the 2020-21 agitation.
Additionally, they are seeking employment and rehabilitation benefits for the children of landless farmers. Farmer leader Rupesh Verma emphasised that the farmers' demands cannot be ignored. He criticised the government’s high-power committee and called for immediate action on the committee’s recommendations.
Failed Talks: Negotiations between farmer leaders and the District Magistrate and Police Commissioner have failed. As a result, the farmers have declared that their agitation will continue until all their demands are met.
"We had received advance information that some farmer organisations have announced to march to Delhi. The House is still in session, so they have not been allowed to enter New Delhi at the moment," said Apoorva Gupta, DCP, East Delhi. (With agency inputs)
