The protesting farmers will hold a 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on Thursday where a resolution will be passed to intensify the fight against the Centre's "pro-corporate and dictatorial policies".
The 'Mahapanchayat' is being organised by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which spearheaded the 2020-21 farmers' agitation, to press the Centre to accept the farmers' demands, including a law on the minimum support price (MSP).
SKM leader Darshan Pal told reporters that the farmers from different parts of the country would go to Delhi in buses and trains instead of tractor-trolleys and that the meeting would be peaceful. The organisation has also appealed to the general public, including students, to show their support by attending the 'Mahapanchayat'.
"Elections or no elections, we have nothing to do with that. Our struggle will continue till our demands are met," Pal added. He said the aim was to put pressure on the political parties to include their demands in the election manifestos.
The farmers have also announced that they would hold a foot march from Uchana to Jind before the Mahapanchayat. They would then take a train from Jind to Delhi. Though the majority of farmers will come to the Ramlila Maidan by train, buses and other vehicles have been arranged to carry the protestors. These vehicles will carry stickers and flags of the organisation to ensure hassle-free transportation to the protest site, the SKM announced.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have allowed a gathering of 5,000 protestors but no tractors at Ramlila Maidan. Elaborate security arrangements have also been made to avoid heavy traffic jams in Delhi. The police have also issued a traffic advisory for the commuters to avoid roads leading to central Delhi, they said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (central) M Harsha Vardhan told PTI that farmers are allowed to hold the 'Mahapanchayat' with the gathering not exceeding 5,000. He said the farmers had given them the undertaking where they were asked to not come with tractors, without any weapons and also promised that they would not hold any march in Delhi.
The farmers have also been asked to vacate the ground soon after the culmination of their programme after 2.30 pm. Strict action will be taken against those who break the rule. "We hope the SKM leadership will abide by the undertaking they have given to us," the DCP said.
Traffic advisory
According to a Delhi Traffic Police statement, 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 are likely to be affected due to the farmers gathering in Delhi.
The advisory said the traffic may be diverted on Delhi Gate, Mir Dard Chowk, Ajmeri Gate Chowk, Guru Nanak Chowk, Kamla Market, Paharganj Chowk, Jhandewalan roundabout, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh flyover from Barakhambha Road to Guru Nanak Chowk, Barakhamba Road, Janpath Road, KG Marg crossing and round about of GPO (Gol Post Office) from 6 am on Thursday.
The Delhi traffic police also advised the people going towards ISBT, railway station or airport to carefully plan their travel with sufficient time at hand.
