Police use water cannons, tear gas to disperse protesting farmers; AAP, SP and Congress extend support

Delhi CM Kejriwal has extended his support to farmers' rally.

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday extended his full support to thousands of protesting farmers who were forcibly stopped from entering the state after their 'Kisan Kranti Padyatra' reached Delhi-UP border.

Talking to ANI, the AAP chief said, ''Farmers should be allowed to enter Delhi. Why are they not being allowed to enter Delhi? This is wrong. We are with the farmers.''

Farmers should be allowed to enter Delhi. Why are they not being allowed to enter Delhi? This is wrong. We are with the farmers: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on 'Kisan Kranti Padyatra' stopped at Delhi-UP border pic.twitter.com/U8UfVkRRnb — ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018

The Delhi Chief Minister announced his support to the farmers after their 'Kisan Kranti Padyatra' was stopped at the Delhi-UP border on Tuesday.

#Visuals from UP-Delhi border where farmers have been stopped during 'Kisan Kranti Padyatra'. The 'Kisan Kranti Padyatra' has been organized by farmers under the banner of Bharatiya Kisan Union. pic.twitter.com/3c4WqtAQnM

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018

Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party led by Akhilesh Yadav too criticised the Modi government for cheating the farmers and extended its support to their cause.

The main opposition party Congress also used the opportunity to attack the Modi regime. ''On birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Modi govt has shown that it is no different from the pre-independence British govt in India. British govt then used to exploit the farmers and today Modi govt is firing tear gas shells at farmers.'' Randeep Surjewala, Congress spokesperson, said.

''This govt has not fulfilled the promises it made to farmers, so it is all but natural that farmers would protest. It is unfortunate and we fully support the farmers,'' Akhilesh Yadav said on Kisan Kranti Yatra.

This Govt has not fulfilled the promises it made to farmers, so it is all but natural that farmers would protest. It is unfortunate and we fully support the farmers: Akhilesh Yadav on #Kisankrantiyatra pic.twitter.com/sWjCtl8hdu — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 2, 2018

The authorities, which earlier issued prohibitory orders, used water guns and tear gas shell to disperse the protesting farmers.

The police took the action after farmers broke the barricades erected to stop them from entering Delhi.

#WATCH Visuals from UP-Delhi border where farmers have been stopped during 'Kisan Kranti Padyatra'. Police use water cannons to disperse protesters after protesters broke the barricades pic.twitter.com/9KUwKgvrwW — ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018

Security was earlier tightened at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border to stop the 'Kisan Kranti Padyatra' enter the national capital on Tuesday.

At least 70,000 farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana are staging the Kisan Kranti Padyatra, which will conclude at the Rajghat. 

The farmers are protesting against the unfriendly policies of the Narendra Modi Government and want to remind it of its promises made to the farmers.

Farmers participating in the movement are demanding complete loan waiver and reduction in electricity tariff, among other requirements. They are also seeking a provision of a pension to every farmer aged above 60. 

According to ANI, security was tightened at the Delhi-UP border in wake of 'Kisan Kranti Padyatra'.

Visuals from UP-Delhi border where farmers have been stopped during 'Kisan Kranti Padyatra'. Police use water cannons to disperse protesters pic.twitter.com/4RDQ1kPcx9 — ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018

The Delhi Police had on Monday imposed prohibitory orders in east and northeast Delhi, anticipating law and order problems in view of the farmers' rally.

In east Delhi, the prohibitory orders were issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Pankaj Singh under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code which would be in force until October 8. 

It covers Preet Vihar, Jagatpuri, Shakarpur, Madhu Vihar, Ghazipur, Mayur Vihar, Mandawli, Pandav Nagar, Kalyanpuri and New Ashok Nagar police station limits.

In northeast Delhi, the prohibitory orders were issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) Atul Kumar Thakur and will be in force till October 4.

A senior police official claimed that the farmers have not sought any permission from the Delhi Police for the protests.

The order prohibits assembly of five or more people and holding of any public meeting. It also prohibits the use of any amplifier, loudspeaker, and similar instruments. 

According to the orders, police received information that BKU president Rakesh Tikait, along with a large number of protestors, will reach the national capital on Tuesday. 

The march is being organised from Patanjali (Uttarakhand) to Kisan Ghat (Delhi) via Muzaffarnagar, Daurala, Partapur, Modi Nagar, Muradnagar, Hindon Ghat between September 23 to October 2. 

The rally will pass through Ghaziabad (in Uttar Pradesh) and will proceed via Preet Vihar and Geeta Colony flyover in east Delhi on Tuesday.

The protesters were moving towards Delhi with hundreds of tractor-trolleys and private vehicles, according to the order issued by the DCP (East). 

They may also be carrying sticks, lathis, cans and possibility of them turning unruly cannot be ruled out on the lightest provocation, it said.

"The yatra thus has the potential of disruption of traffic and creating law and order problems. Hence, it is essential to maintain law and order and peace in the national capital territory of Delhi with intent to avoid any inconvenience to the general public," the order said.

There are also instructions against carrying firearms, stones and corrosive substances. 

Section 144 of the CrPC of 1973 empowers an executive magistrate to prohibit an assembly of more than four people in an area. 

The Delhi Traffic Police also issued an advisory asking motorists to avoid the Meerut Expressway.

"In view of the large-scale gathering of protestors on the Ghazipur border, the motorists going towards Ghaziabad, Hapur, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Roorkee, Haridwar are advised to avoid the Meerut Expressway (Ghazipur Border) and take alternative routes as per their convenience," the advisory said.

Those going towards Ghaziabad can take Ghazipur Chowk, Road No 56 towards ISBT Anand Vihar, Apsara Border, GT Road and Mohan Nagar, it said. 

Commuters can also drive through Shahdara, Dilshad Garden, Mohan Garden to reach Ghaziabad. For going towards Noida, commuters have been advised to take DND Flyover, Noida Link Road and Mahamaya Flyover.

(With Agency inputs)