Kisan Mahapanchayat: Farmers Protest at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, Traffic Curbs in Place | LIVE

New Delhi: Taking forward their agitation to press for their several demands, including a law guaranteeing a minimum support price, farmers from across the country marched towards Delhi and gathered in large numbers at Ramlila Ground to hold 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' on Thursday. They had been camping at Delhi borders for a month now. 

Farmers Raise Slogans Against Centre From Delhi's Ramlila Maidan

The protesting farmers raised slogans against the Union government at the protest venue. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmer organisations that spearheaded a protest at Delhi's borders in 2020-21 against three agriculture laws that have since been repealed, has said a resolution will be passed at the "Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat" to "intensify the fight" against the Centre's policies.

Security Heightened at Chilla Border

In view of the ongoing Kisan Mahapanchayat in Delhi on Thursday, Security arrangements have been made at the border area, including at Chilla Border.  On security arrangements at Chilla Border, DIG, Addl. CP (L&O), Shivhari Meena said, "Security arrangements have been made at the borders. We are talking with the farmer's leaders. Traffic movement is smooth..."
 

Farmers' Mahapanchayat: Delhi Traffic Police Issue Advisory

In view of a huge gathering at the Farmers’ Mahapanchayat on March 14, 2024, at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, the Delhi Traffic Police issued a traffic advisory for the commuters ahead of the scheduled event. According to the traffic police, due to the large gathering of people from all parts of India to attend the protest at Ramlila Maidan on Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, movement of the general traffic will be regulated in order to avoid congestion on the road and ensure smooth traffic movement. 

Here are the top 10 points on 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' today

• The farmers have taken permission from the Delhi Police to hold a 'Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat' at Delhi's Ramlila Ground on Thursday. 
• However, the cops have prohibited the farmers from bringing tractor trolleys, to hold march, and gathering of over 5,000 protesters.
• The mahapanchayat is scheduled to begin from 11 am to 2 pm. The mahapanchayat targets to take forward their fight against the government's policies", mainly focusing on issues like MSP and the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations implementation.
• The mahapanchayat will be spearheaded by the umbrella body of farmers' organisations, Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), that had also led the 2020-21 farmers' protest against the three central agri laws which were eventually repealed.
• The SKM said plans are afoot to pass a resolution, 'Sankalp Patra,' to highlight strategies against pro-corporate policies and announce future course of actions.
• An advisory has also been issued by the Delhi Traffic Police in view of the protest as it may be affected in various parts of the national capital and its adjoining areas.
• According to the traffic advisory, traffic is likely be be hit on 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.
• Earlier on February 13, Punjab farmers had arrived at the Delhi borders to conduct a peaceful protest at Ramlila Maidan, however, they were denied permission and stopped at the Punjab-Haryana border by cops. They have been camping at the border areas since then.
• The farmers had apparently stocked ration in their trollies to last for months, asserting they wouldn't go back until their needs were met.
• Farmers are demanding MSP on 23 crops, waiver of debt, withdrawal of criminal cases against farmers, implementation of the 'C2+50%' formula recommended by the Swaminathan Commission.