New Delhi: Hundreds of farmers, led by Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait, were on Sunday stopped by the Delhi Police at the Ghazipur border as they tried to enter the national capital. Hundreds of farmers were trying to enter Delhi to participate in the demonstration called by the wrestlers near the new parliament building.
Wrestlers sitting on dharna at Jantar Mantar have not been allowed to protest near the new Parliament House. These wrestlers are demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, President of the Wrestling Federation of India, on charges of sexual harassment of women wrestlers. Meanwhile, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia were taken into custody by the Delhi Police on Sunday for violating law and order after they tried to break through the security cordon and proceed towards the new Parliament House for a women ‘mahapanchayat’.
Top wrestlers resumed their agitation on April 23 demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Rakesh Tikait, who led the protests against the agricultural laws, after being stopped by the police at the heavily guarded Ghazipur border, said, “All other farmers have been stopped by the police. Right now we will sit here and decide what to do next.
There was a heated argument between the security personnel and the farmers who tried to break the barricades to enter Delhi amid the presence of a large number of policemen. A senior police officer said that the Ghazipur border has now been closed as a precautionary measure to prevent the entry of farmers into the national capital. The police official said roads leading to Anand Vihar and other nearby areas were blocked and necessary traffic diversions were made.
In view of the Mahila Samman Mahapanchayat call by the protesting wrestlers, elaborate security arrangements were made at Delhi borders with barricades and police posts to ensure that there were no disturbances on the day of the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament House. The heavy police force was deployed on every route, especially the routes leading to the New Delhi area.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Dipendra Pathak said that Delhi Police has made elaborate and tight security arrangements in the national capital, strategic locations, and its border areas and will ensure that law and order is maintained. Pathak said, “Any attempt to create disturbances in the inauguration of the new Parliament House will be dealt with very politely and firmly. I request our respected athletes not to do anything like this today.
Dipendra Pathak also said that the police would not allow anyone to indulge in anti-national activities on such an important day and would deal with any situation in a professional manner. Along with checking vehicles by the police, a strict vigil is being maintained at the entry points at all the borders of Delhi.
