New Delhi: Traveling from remote villages of Punjab and then camping at the national capital borders for a month, protesting farmers today will enter Delhi for a rally in support of their demand for higher crop prices.
Police have stepped up security in the national capital, putting up barricades, and warned of traffic congestion on Thursday, Reuters reported.
Thousands of farmers, set out on a ‘Delhi Chalo’( Let’s go to Delhi) march, reminiscent of their similar protest two years ago, travelled miles before they ended up at about 200 km (125 miles) north of the capital.
Demanding higher guaranteed prices for their crops, protesters urged farmers across the country to gather at Delhi.
Police have permitted 5,000 farmers to hold a 'Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat' at Delhi's Ramlila Ground.
Farmers' leaders, however, are said to have not promised to stick to that limit, Reuters reported citing local media.
‘A huge gathering of people from all parts of India is expected to attend the protest,’ Delhi Police was quoted saying in a traffic advisory.
Today's protest, led by Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the umbrella body of farmers' organisations, will take place between 11 am to 2 pm to highlight issues including MSP and implementing the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, according to NDTV.
Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) was at the forefront of spearheading the 2020-21 farmers' protest against the three central agri laws.
The farmers have rejected the Centre's proposal of government agencies procuring pulses, maize, and cotton at Minimum Security Price (MSP) for five years.