Farmers at Jantar Mantar.
Protesting farmer leaders said on Thursday that they intend to continue with the ‘Kisan Sansad’ at Jantar Mantar in the heart of the national capital till August 13, the day the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Parliament comes to an end.
On Wednesday, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had given permission to the farmers’ demonstration at Jantar Mantar against the three Central farm laws on the condition that a maximum of 200 protesters will be allowed till August 9 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
On Thursday, the agitating farmers reached the Jantar Mantar with eleborate arrangements. A farmer leader said that over one lakh farmers are ready to reach Jantar Mantar, but the police have allowed only 200 people per day.
“We have selected a maximum of three persons from each farmer union. This time we are prepared to avoid any untoward incidents, like what happened on January 26. All the farmers will come to the protest site only in buses, and no personal vehicle is allowed. Moreover, all those attending the Kisan Sansad will have identity cards issued by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM),” said a protesting farmer.
The farmers who are protesting since November last year over the new farm laws passed by the Centre arrived at Jantar Mantar on Thursday amid tight security to further intensity their agitation against the legislations.
The farmers reached the protest venue chanting slogans, demanding rollback of the three farm laws passed by the Central government.
The farmers arrived in buses that were escorted by the Delhi Police to ensure the overall security, while maintaining the Covid norms.
A heavy deployment of police personnel since Thursday morning has been noticed around Jantar Mantar.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority has granted approval to farmers to hold ‘Kisan Sansad’ while maintaining Covid appropriate behaviour.
Delhi Police has allowed only 200 farmers to gather at the protest venue from July 22 to August 9.
Multi-layer security has been deployed around Jantar-Mantar, which is just a few metres away from Parliament and where farmers are scheduled to hold Kisan Sansad to protest against the three contentious farm laws.
The entire area of Jantar-Mantar has been cordoned off.
Delhi police along with central forces including RAF and CRF are deployed to ensure elaborate security arrangements as farmers are scheduled to reach here.
Arrangements have been made considering Covid-19 norms. Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had on Wednesday granted permission to farmers to assemble at Jantar-Mantar with appropriate Covid management protection.
As per the DDMA approval, farmers will be allowed to hold protests at Jantar-Mantar from July 22 to August 9, with maximum of 200 people in attendance.
After the order, Delhi police scaled up security at Jantar-Mantar and three borders of Delhi – Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur.
“Security arrangements are made to ensure safety of farmers and also to follow Covid-19 rules,” said a senior police official.
Farmers are allowed to hold protests against three farm laws at Jantar-Mantar between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.