'Mahapanchayat' called by farmers' body: Security increased in Delhi

New Delhi: According to police officers, as a precautionary measure prior to the "mahapanchayat" called by the farmers' organisation at Jantar Mantar, security has been stepped up on Monday at Delhi's borders, notably Singhu and Ghazipur. All vehicles entering the capital are being inspected, and police officers are in "alert mode."

"We have made adequate arrangements to ensure that the law and order is maintained and there is no loss of life and property," Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Dependra Pathak stated.

The police claim that further barricades have been erected at Jantar Mantar along with a significant police presence. According to authorities, anybody attempting to enter will be properly inspected to prevent any unnecessary crowding that could result in an undesirable situation.

Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Sagar Preet Hooda said, "Personnel usually remain deployed at Jantar Mantar but on Monday, we have deployed additional force in view of the 'mahapanchayat'." Traffic movement may be affected in many parts of Delhi as the police have put barricades at border points, officials said.

In a tweet, police asked motorists to avoid Tolstoy Marg, Sansad Marg, Janpath Road, Ashoka Road, Outer Circle Connaught Place, Baba Kharak Singh Marg and Pandit Pant Marg due to farmers' congregations.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha and other farmers' groups are organising the 'mahapanchayat' and they will pass through the outer district, which includes the Ghazipur border in Ghaziabad, police said.

"In this connection, adequate deployment of local police and outside force has been made in the outer district at Tikri border, major intersections, along railway tracks and metro stations to avoid any untoward incident," a police official said.

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait was Sunday detained by the Delhi Police at the Ghazipur border while he was trying to enter the capital to take part in an unemployment protest at Jantar Mantar. He had alleged that the Delhi Police was working at the behest of the Centre and did not allow him to meet the unemployed youth, PTI reported.

A Delhi Police official had said Tikait, the national spokesperson for the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) and a prominent face of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), was stopped at the border around afternoon.

"Thereafter, he was detained and taken to Madhu Vihar police station where police requested him to return," Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Dependra Pathak had said.

On Sunday, Several farmer leaders and organisations gathered at Jantar Mantar for their 'Rozgar Sansad' (employment parliament) organised by the Samyukt Rojgar Andolan Samiti (SRAS).