Thousands of farmers from Punjab and Haryana overcame tear gas, water cannons and police barricades for a second day on Friday, 26 November, to enter Delhi through the Tikri border.
The farmers, who are protesting against Centre’s new farm laws, were given permission to hold their demonstrations at the Nirankari Samagam Ground in the Burari area.
Meanwhile, union agricultural minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said “the Central government is always ready for talks.” The Centre has asked the farmers to meet on 3 December.
- Punjab CM Amarinder Singh, in a tweet, welcomed the Centre’s decision to allow farmers’ entry.
- Farmers representing 31 farm bodies have announced that they will reach Delhi through several routes - Lalru, Shambhu, Patiala-Pehowa, Patran-Khanauri, Moonak-Tohana, Ratia-Fatehabad and Talwandi-Sirsa.
- Several politicians have condemned the use of force by Haryana Police on the protesting farmers
- The farmers are protesting against the farm laws as they feel that these laws would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price (MSP) system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporate entities.
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Meeting of Farmers Underway at Singhu Border
As they continue protests, a meeting of farmers is underway at the Delhi-Haryana Singhu border.
Heavy Security Deployement at Singhu Border
Heavy security has been deployed at the Singhu border where protesting farmers have gathered, reported news agency ANI.
This after Delhi Police on 27 November granted permission to farmers to hold their demonstrations at the Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari area.
Akhilesh Yadav Condemns Police Force on Farmers
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said, “Instead of listening to farmers, BJP govt out to suppress them, using tear gas, water cannons and batons on them.”
Delhi Govt to Provide Essential Amenities to Farmers at Nirankari Maidan
The Delhi government has decided to provide basic facilities to the farmers at Nirankari grounds, beginning with drinking water.
The Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi has asked its MLA and Delhi Jal Board vice-chairman Raghav Chadha to take stock of the situation by reaching Burari.
The Delhi government said in a press briefing, "Raghav Chadha, Vice Chairman, Delhi Jal Board, will visit the Nirankari grounds, Burari on Friday evening. Proper arrangements for drinking water will be made for farmers who are protesting at the approved protest site. Water tankers are being deployed here. To oversee the preparations, DJB vice-president Raghav Chadha is going to the dharna site."