Gurugram police on high alert as agitating farmers from Singhu reach KMP Expressway
Hundreds of farmers riding trolleys reached the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway from the Singhu border on Saturday, and are waiting for instructions to implement the blockade planned by the farmers' group. The farmers are slated to block the 135-km-long Western Peripheral Expressway, also known as KMP Expressway, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday to mark 100 days of protest against the Centre's farm laws.
The farmers' agitation against the farm laws passed by the Central government, had started on November 26 last year. The move to block the expressway is a part of the strategy to intensify the ongoing protest against the contentious legislations.
"We are currently collating our strength. Farmers from across the state are coming for this cause. We are also moving as many of our trolleys have already reached the KMP," Karamjit Singh, Haryana state president of Yogendra Yadav-led Jai Kisan Andolan said.
Singh is deployed at the Singhu protest site. He said that the protesters from Singhu will also march to join the blockade site, which will be revealed after assessing the positions of all the farmers shortly.
Those protesting at the Singhu border will block the toll plazas located on the way to the KMP Expressway. Besides, the farmers from Ghazipur and Tikri borders will block Dasna and Bahadurgarh toll plaza, respectively.
Those sitting on the Shahjahanpur border will block the KMP Expressway touching Gurugram-Manesar.
Their plan of action includes freeing up the toll plazas from collecting fees. Farmers have also said that the toll plaza nearest to the border area will be blocked.
Gurugram police on high alert in view of expressway blockade
Meanwhile, the Gurugram police have been put on high alert in view of the farmers' threat of blocking the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway against the three agricultural laws and to mark Day 100 of protests at Delhi borders. The Gurugram police have intensified security and have deployed huge force on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway (NH-48), connecting the KMP Expressway for security purpose.
All the concern Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACPs) and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCPs) have been asked to ensure patrolling in their respective areas.
The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) in Gurugram and the farmers sitting on the hunger strike have also worn the black bands to mark their protest against the three farm laws.
The farmers, however, have said that the entire exercise will be a "peaceful protest".
Hundreds of police personnel, wearing safety gears and armed with batons, have been deployed near the KMP Expressway.
Besides, a fire engine and ambulance have also been stationed on the spot to tacle any untoward situation, the police said.
"The protesters have announced to block the highways for five hours on Saturday. The Gurugram district is peaceful since the beginning of the farmers' agitation and till now no untoward incident occurred across the city but we beefed up security arrangements to maintain peace," said a senior police official.
SKM President Chaudhary Santokh Singh, while tying the black band, said the farmers' agitation is now a mass demonstration against the government. The fight will continue till the government agrees to the protesters' terms.
