The Delhi Police fired teargas shells and resorted to using water cannons and lathicharge as they sought to prevent thousands of farmers from crossing the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border as part of a march on Tuesday. Media reports claimed the farmers will wait and “peacefully” protest at the border to be allowed entry into Delhi.
The farmers are marching as part of the 'Kisan Kranti Yatra' being organised by the Bhartiya Kisan Union, which is demanding implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations. The BKU's demands include an unconditional loan waiver for farmers, clearing of dues by sugar mills, higher prices for crops, free electricity for farms and a cut in diesel prices.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal declared that the farmers should be allowed to enter Delhi and it was wrong to block their arrival. Kejriwal also announced his Aam Aadmi Party was “with the farmers”.
The ongoing farmers' march disrupted traffic movement on major roads leading to Delhi as farmers from eastern and western Uttar Pradesh joined the BKU march. The farmers are arriving in tractors and private vehicles.
The Delhi Police had imposed prohibitory orders on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border to prevent the arrival of the farmers.
(With PTI inputs)
