Farmers Protest Highlights: 'Delhi Chalo' farmers try to break through road blocks, internet shut in Haryana

Amid the ongoing protest by farmers, the internet services will remain shut for the next two days in Haryana. 

Following hours of clashes with the police while en route to Delhi today, protesting farmers decided to end their demonstration for the day, announcing a "ceasefire" and pledging to resume their demonstration tomorrow. The Haryana police employed extensive measures to prevent the farmers from entering the state, deploying a range of tactics including the use of drones equipped with tear gas canisters, water cannons, cement barriers, sandbags, and tyre deflators. Despite facing significant opposition, the farmers remain resolute in their determination to continue their protest, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to their cause.

Heavy traffic snarl seen near Singhu border in Delhi amid strict security measures in view of farmers' protest | Watch

Heavy traffic snarl seen on Delhi-Noida-Delhi (DND) flyway, as vehicles commute from Delhi to Noida amid heavily guarded Delhi borders in view of farmers' protest.

Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher on protest | "This is a dark day in Indian history. Tear gas was used against the farmers... We are installing speakers here and will resume our program tomorrow morning..."

Watch | Massive traffic jam at Ghazipur border in view farmers protest ahead of Lok Sabha elections 

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal | "...What we are saying is not a new demand. That was a commitment to us by the Government. We had tried to draw the attention of Government towards those commitments again and again. But the Government showed no seriousness to date..."

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on farmers protest | "Modi government has worked a lot for the promotion of the agriculture sector and welfare of farmers from the very first day. When the farmers raised their demands, we immediately agreed to the discussion. We held a discussion (with farmers' leaders) for several hours... Union Ministers asked them to sit and continue the discussion, but they left… They say that India should withdraw itself from the WTO. They say cancel the free trade agreement, they say don't install smart meters... Now all these new issues are being added, we just want to say that we are ready to discuss them, but we will have to talk to others on these issues, including state governments, farmer organisations… I would only say to the protesters that you should not indulge in violence and I request the farmer leaders to continue the round of talks..."

Drone visuals show the security arrangements at Tikri Border, in view of the farmers' protest as they march towards Delhi. 

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema on farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march | "The situation that has formed is a matter of concern. The deadlock too is a matter of concern. I would like to tell the State Government as well as the Central Government that peaceful protest is everyone's right but attempts to suppress any protest against the Government is undemocratic. Putting up blockades in the path of anyone who wants to hold a peaceful protest is not a healthy democratic process...If the Government announces something and accepts demands but does not implement it - this is a huge matter...Shiromani Akali Dal has always stood with the farmers, stood with their rights. I would like to tell the Centre to implement the demands that they had accepted..."

On farmers' protest, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "The demands that they have requested, the majority of them have been fulfilled by the government. Regarding the remaining demands, concerned ministers like Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai have been talking to them since last week. I request them (farmers) since they have given the demands now & it is a known fact that the government is pro-farmer...This is what I appeal to them." 

 On farmers' protest, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said, "They wanted to talk to the central government, but the central government (officials) has come here to talk. Talks have been held twice and they are not denying having further talks with them. Still, they are adamant about going to Delhi...Why do they want to go to Delhi? It seems that they have some other motive...We will not let peace be disturbed. They should withdraw their call..."

Rahul Gandhi on farmers protest | "Today, the farmers are marching towards Delhi. They are being stopped, tear gas shells are being used on them...What are they saying? They are just asking for the fruits of their labour. BJP Government announced Bharat Ratna for MS Swaminathan...But they are not ready to implement something which MS Swaminathan said. He clearly mentioned in his report that farmers should indeed be given the legal right to MSP. But the BJP Government is not doing that...When I.N.D.I.A government comes to power, we will give the (law) guaranteeing MSP to the farmers of India. We will fulfill what Swaminathan report mentioned."

As farmers march towards Delhi, police use water cannons to disperse them at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border | Watch

Haryana Police detain protestors at Shambu border as chaos breaks out during farmers' movement towards Delhi to press for their various demands.

Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher says "...Around 10,000 people are here at the Shambhu border. The farmers are maintaining a peaceful situation and tear gas is being used against us through drones. (Protest) will continue until the government agrees to our demands."

As farmers begin their 'Delhi Chalo' march, several security measures have been taken by the administrations in Haryana and Delhi. Amid this, protesting farmers vandalised flyover safety barriers at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border.

A few gates may be closed in the following stations as per security instructions. However, stations are operational-Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Udyog Bhawan, Patel Chowk, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Janpath, Khan Market and Lok Kalyan Marg: DMRC

Farmers forcibly remove the cement barricade with their tractors as they try to cross over the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border.

Amid multiple rounds of tear gas fired by police, protesting farmers disperse and enter farmland at Shambhu on the Punjab-Haryana border. 

Haryana Police detain protestors at Shambu border as chaos breaks out during farmers' movement towards Delhi to press for their various demands.

Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena claimed that opposition parties are involved in the ongoing farmers' protests. 

"The agitation is being done when the elections are close. This means the Opposition parties are involved. This march is not being done for the farmers but to provide benefits to political parties," he said.

Bharatiya Kisan Union president Naresh Tikait on Tuesday said the Centre should hold talks with the farmers and alleged that its "stubborn approach" is proving to be dangerous.

The security of the iconic Red Fort was heightened in the wake of the ongoing farmers march in the national capital region. A large number of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed around the Mughal monument. Last time during the farmers' protest, protesting farmers had entered the Red Fort.

As farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest march gets underway, Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring says, "We have launched a helpline number to provide free legal aid to farmers..."

The security of Red Fort has been increased. A large number of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed around the Red Fort. Last time, farmers had entered inside the Red Fort during the protest.

Delhi Police sealed the Sindhu Border completely to control the agitating farmers heading towards Delhi.

Police use tear gas drones at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border to disperse protesting farmers.

Senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said, "The entire border has been sealed as if it is the border of enemy countries. The Internet has been disrupted in Haryana-Punjab, Rajasthan adjoining Delhi and neighboring districts of Delhi adjoining Uttar Pradesh. The services have been completely stopped, that too when the board papers are in full swing. Verbal instructions have been given in the districts around Delhi that not more than 10 liters of diesel will be put in any farmer's tractor. There is oppression all around. Scared by the roar of Annadata farmers, the Modi government is once again reminding the Champaran farmers' movement of 1917. Kheda movement of Bihar, oppressed by the British 100 years ago."

On Delhi Police security deployment at the Jharoda border with Haryana, DCP Dwarka Ankit Singh says, "Secc 144 CrPC is imposed in the city, tractor trolleys are not allowed in the city. Social media monitoring has also been done. Drone is an effective tool for security monitoring, we will use it"

11 companies deployed here. We are ensuring that there is no law and order situation here and citizens do not face any trouble in commuting. As of now, there is no march towards the Tikri border (with Delhi), but the situation is dynamic and we are monitoring it using various sources": SP Jhajjar Arpit Jain

On farmers' march, Union Minister Arjun Munda says "We care about the interests of the farmers. It is not our concern if someone is doing politics over this issue. We have always been ready for talks and discussions and we are ready to do everything possible to find a solution to this issue. This issue also concerns the state governments. We need time to understand this issue and find a method to solve this."

Punjab Police allows protesting farmers to cross Rajpura bypass to head towards Haryana's Ambala onward to Delhi for their protest to press for their demands.

Delhi Government rejects the central government's proposal to convert Bawana Stadium into a jail in view of the farmers' march to Delhi today.

On the Centre's proposal, Delhi Government Home Minister Kailash Gehlot said, "The demands of the farmers are genuine. It is the constitutional right of every citizen to make a peaceful protest. It is therefore incorrect to arrest the farmers..."

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Adish Aggarwala on Tuesday wrote a letter to Chief Justice of India (CJI), DY Chandrachud to take suo motu action against erring farmers for forcibly trying to enter Delhi in a bid to create nuisance and disturb the daily life of citizens. He also requested CJI Chandrachud to issue directions to courts to not pass any adverse order due to the non-presence of lawyers before the courts.

Bahadurgarh, Haryana: DSP Jhajjar, Shamsher Singh says, "Police have made preparations at Tikri border. CCTV cameras and mics have been put...Sufficient security is there...Action will be decided according to the situation."

Farmers with their tractors move towards the Shambhu border near Ambala from Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab, as farmer unions have given 'Chalo Delhi' protest call over their various demands. 

"We tried to find a solution so that we do not have to stand against the Govt. We were expecting that we would be given something. In the 5-hour-long meeting yesterday, we put forward the situation of Haryana...The people of Punjab and Haryana are being tortured. It seems that both these states are not a part of India anymore, they are being treated as International border" said Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher. 

"We are not saying we will block roads, govt itself blocked roads", said Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on 'Delhi Chalo' march.

Farmers begin their 'Delhi Chalo' march from Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab.

Entry and exit from Gate no. 1, 3 and 4 of Udyog Bhawan Metro Station closed for 'security reasons'.

Farmers leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Tuesday held a press conference ahead of Delhi Chalo march. He said farmers leaders tried to get a solution through talks but nothing concrete came out.

"Whether they (police personnel) resort to lathi-charge or firing, the march will be held to press their demands," he said during the press conference.

Heavy traffic snarl witnessed at Ghazipur border ahead of farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march.

Concrete barricades installed, tyre-killers (spikes) also being kept ready as police beef up security at Ghazipur border.

Traffic movement affected at Delhi-Gurugram border.

"We don't wish to cause inconvenience to the common man...As soon as we get the direction after the meeting, we will march forward," said Farmer leader Lakhwinder Singh.

Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher holds a meeting with farmer unions in Fatehgarh Sahib.

Farmers will hold a press conference at 9:30 am in Fatehgarh Sahib ahead of the march to Delhi.

Security heightened at Delhi borders in view of the march declared by farmers towards the national capital today.

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport issued an advisory for passengers ahead of the farmers' protest.

Security heightened at Delhi borders in view of the march declared by farmers towards the National Capital today. 

Ambala, Haryana: Security heightened at the Shambhu border in view of the march declared by farmers towards Delhi today.

Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "The meeting with the ministers went on for around 5 hours yesterday. We presented an agenda in front of them. The central government has not been able to make a strong decision on anything. The government is asking for time from us to pause the agitation. But they asked us for time 2 years ago too, when the farmers' agitation ended. We thought that giving time is not suitable now. If there is a strong proposal then we can think of giving time but they don't have anything."

The meeting began at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Sector 26 at around 6.30 pm and concluded just before midnight. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have announced that farmers will head to Delhi on Tuesday to press the Centre to accept their demands, including the enactment of a law to guarantee a minimum support price (MSP) for crops.