On Thursday, SKM will host a “mahapanchayat” in Delhi; 5,000 farmers are permitted to assemble, but no tractors or trolleys are permitted
According to officials on Wednesday, Delhi Police has granted farmers permission to hold their “Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat,” subject to the following restrictions: no tractor-trolleys; no marching at Ramlila Maidan; and a maximum gathering size of 5,000. The police have also made elaborate security arrangements that could cause a severe traffic jam in the National Capital on March 14.
Additionally, the police advised travelers to stay off of the routes that go into downtown Delhi.
Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the umbrella group of farmers’ organizations that led the farmers’ protest against the three central agricultural laws in 2020–21 at the Delhi borders, has announced that it will host a “Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat” at Ramlila Maidan, where a resolution to “intensify the fight” against the government’s policies will be passed.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the SKM stated that they have received permission from the Delhi Police to hold the mahapanchayat at Ramlila Maidan on March 14. They also stated that they will work with the Delhi municipal administration to secure parking spaces and other necessities like water, restrooms, and ambulances.
According to M Harsha Vardhan, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central), farmers are permitted to host “mahapanchayats,” provided as the number of attendees does not considerably over 5,000.
According to him, the farmers gave them an assurance stating that they would not be holding any marches in Delhi and that they would not be bringing tractors or weapons with them.
According to another police officer, the farmers have also been requested to leave the area shortly after their program ends, which is after 2:30 pm.
If they breach the agreements and violate Delhi’s law and order, stern action could be taken, he warned.
The DCP said, “We hope the SKM leadership will uphold the undertaking they have given to us.”
The farmers’ rally at the Ramlila Maidan on Thursday may cause traffic issues in several areas of Delhi, according to the police.
A statement from the Delhi Traffic Police states that the farmers’ gathering in Delhi is likely to have an impact on the following roads: Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Barakhamba Road, Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, Tolstoy Marg, Asaf Ali Road, Jai Singh Road, Swami Vivekanand Marg, Sansad Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg, Baba Kharag Singh Marg, Minto Road, Ashoka Road, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh flyover, Connaught Circus, Bhavbhuti Marg, DDU Marg, and Chaman Lal Marg.
Traffic on Barakhambha Road may be redirected to Guru Nanak Chowk, Barakhamba Road, Janpath Road, KG Marg crossing, Delhi Gate, Mir Dard Chowk, Ajmeri Gate Chowk, Kamla Market, Paharganj Chowk, Jhandewalan roundabout, and the GPO (Gol Post Office) roundabout starting at 6 a.m. on Thursday, according to the advisory.
The traffic police in Delhi also recommended that anybody heading to the airport, train station, or ISBT carefully plan their route and allow enough time for it.
The advise said, “We appreciate your cooperation and understanding towards the alleviation of traffic congestion during the above-mentioned period.”
A significant number of paramilitary forces have been stationed at the three borders of Delhi, namely Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur, in an attempt to put an end to the farmers’ continuous demonstration demanding to march to Delhi.
For the last month, hundreds of farmers have been waiting at the Punjab-Haryana borders.
