The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): In response to the recent farmers’ protest, the Delhi Police have completely sealed the Singhu border on Tuesday evening, following the closure of the Tikri border. This decision was made in light of clashes between farmers and police at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border and in Haryana’s Jind District, which resulted in approximately 13 injuries.
A senior police officer stated that the Singhu Border is now inaccessible, with traffic being diverted at Mukarba Chowk. Vehicles intending to travel to Haryana are being rerouted towards the Loni Border or towards Madhuban Chowk, then onwards to Ring Road.
Tuesday morning witnessed significant traffic congestion at the entry and exit points of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The police and paramilitary personnel, equipped with anti-riot gear, set up multiple layers of barricades, concrete blocks, iron nails, and walls of containers to prevent the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march planned by the farmers.
Initially, police allowed movement of traffic on a single carriageway on both sides of the road at Tikri and Singhu borders. However, to further stop farmers from entering the national capital, police teams along with the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed at various Delhi borders, including Tikri, Singhu, and Ghazipur.
The security measures include the installation of cement blocks and pickets with nails on the approach roads. In addition, Delhi Police invoked Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) citywide and fortified the borders as a precautionary measure. Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora has issued directives for heightened security and surveillance for the next 30 days.
As part of these measures, the Red Fort has also been temporarily closed to visitors. A total of 114 companies, including 64 from the paramilitary forces and 50 from the Haryana Police, have been deployed across various districts. The police are also utilizing surveillance technologies such as drones and CCTV cameras to monitor any disruptive activities related to the protests.