Prepare For Traffic Jams: Delhi Police To Commuters Over Farmers' Protest

The Delhi Police on Wednesday said that commuters may face traffic jams due to farmers' protests.

A huge jam was witnessed at Delhi-Haryana's Singhu border in the morning as farmers started gathering, according to a report in PTI.

The authorities are keeping a strict vigil at the Tikri, Singhu, and Ghazipur borders, as well as railway and metro stations and bus stands.

"We have stepped up security at all three borders. However, we are not shutting any border or route but vehicle checking will take place," the news agency quoted an officer as saying,

On Sunday, the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), the two umbrella bodies that are spearheading the farmers' agitation, had asked farmers across the country to reach Delhi on Wednesday.

The call was given by farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Jimmy Chiram said force is already deployed at the Delhi-Haryana border. "We are keeping a tab on the situation in the wake of this call given by the farmers." Another officer said, "We had temporally removed barriers for commuters at the Singhu and the Tikri borders. The deployment of police and paramilitary personnel is still there and (they) will ensure strict, round-the-clock vigil." Additional police and paramilitary forces have been deployed at railway and metro stations and bus stands as the farmers would also be coming in public transport like trains and buses.

"Section 144 is already imposed in Delhi. We will not allow any gathering or assembly anywhere here," the officer said.

Security has been mounted at ISBT Kashmere Gate, Anand Vihar, and Sarai Kale Khan.

"No one will be allowed to breach the law," the officer added.

Last month, a clash between security personnel and protesting farmers at Khanauri on the Punjab-Haryana border resulted in the death of a 21-year-old farmer and injuries to several others.

Following the halt of their 'Delhi Chalo' march by security forces on February 13, protesting farmers have been setting up camp at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana.