Crowds swell at Ghazipur border as farmer protest gains pace

Farmers holding a tricolor take part in a protest against the new farm laws, at Ghazipur, on Sunday. PIC/PTI

The farmers' protest in the Ghazipur area at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border has gained momentum again as both the crowd and police deployment has swelled up.

The crowd is acting as a catalyst for the resumption of the protest that had started to fade out prior to the violence on Republic Day. "People had started to pour in from January 28 night onwards. Before that, there were 2,000-3,000 people, which has now increased to more than 10,000," said Pawan Khatana, Bharat Kisan Union's Uttar Pradesh Member.

Khatana further emphasised that more and more people are now wading towards the protest site from various states, including Maharashtra, Punjab and Haryana. Various preventive measures have been put in place by the police and administration at the site, including suspension of internet, increased deployment of personnel and strict vigilance. Police have also added multitudes of barricades to prevent protesters from entering the national capital.

"They have set up more than 10 barricades at multiple sites to stop us," said Vinod Manota, another leader of BKU. "Earlier, there was ease of movement. Even police used to come to our side. After 28th, the situation has become tense at the protest site," he rued. The agitation has entered the 67th day. The farmers, bearing the Indian flag, could be seen raising slogans of ‘jai kisan, jai jawan'. The BKU's prominent leader Rakesh Tikait said, "We will not compromise under pressure. Once our farmer brothers are released, we will talk to the government."

Freelance journalist held from Singhu border
A freelance journalist was arrested from the Singhu border on Sunday for allegedly misbehaving with the police personnel on duty at the farmers' protest site there, officials said. A case was registered against him and he has been arrested now, a senior police officer said, a day after the scribe was detained. Police had earlier said that they placed barricades at the border following the violence on Friday to ensure that no one could get through.

Another journalist booked over tweets
An FIR has been registered in UP against The Wire's editor-in-chief Siddharth Varadarajan for his tweet on the death of a protesting farmer during the Republic Day tractor rally in Delhi. The News Minute reported that Varadarajan posted a report on the claims of the grandfather of deceased farmer Navreet Singh, who had alleged that the farmer was shot at by the police and then died of injuries. The autopsy, however, states that he died of injuries he sustained when the tractor overturned. Varadarajan has been booked for posting a tweet aimed at "instigating people" and "spreading nuisance." Police earlier this week booked six Delhi scribes, alleging they were "spreading false news".

‘Release our men and then hold talks'
Farmer leader Naresh Tikait said protesting farmers will honour the dignity of the PM, but are also committed to protecting their self-respect. He said the govt should "release our men and prepare an environment conducive for talks".