Activity in parts of Delhi and Noida has been severely affected ahead of the farmers’ ‘Dilli Chalo’ march towards the Parliament complex on Monday. The protest march, organised by the Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) in collaboration with other farmer groups from at least 20 districts, has been called to press key demands on the central government. Long queues of vehicles were seen in parts of Delhi-NCR amid heavy security arrangements and police barricading. A video posted by news agency ANI showed cars moving at a slow speed at Chilla Border, while all vehicles were seen halted in at least 10 lanes on DND. The Noida police also issued a movement advisory on Sunday, cautioning commuters about the borders and diversions. Alternate routes for commuters include – Major Noida routes from Chilla Border: DND Border to Delhi: Film City Flyover, Sector-18, Lifted Street; Kalindi Border to Delhi: Mahamaya Flyover, Sector-37; Noida to Delhi: Charkha Indirect, Kalindi Kunj or Hajipur underpass via Sector-51 and Show Town; Yamuna Expressway movement: Exit at Jewar toll, proceed via Khurja and Jahangirpur; and Fringe Expressway movement: Use Dadri or Dasna exit over Sirsa.
Security has also been beefed up in the national capital and police are checking vehicles at every checkpoint.
What are the farmers demanding?
Farmers under the banner of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) are agitating against the central government with various demands, including assured remuneration and benefits under the recently passed farm laws. They have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February.
The farmers have five major demands – allotment of 10 per cent plots under the old farm law and 64.7 per cent enhanced compensation, four times the market value compensation for land acquired after January 1, 2014 and 20 per cent plots, occupation and rehabilitation benefits to children of landless farmers, government orders on issues passed by the land control committee and proper settlement of populated areas. BKP leader Sukhbir Khalifa said, “We are ready to march towards Delhi. We will start marching towards Delhi from under the Maha Maya flyover (in Noida). At 12 noon, we will all reach the Parliament complex and demand our compensation and benefits under the modern law.”