Farmers hold 'Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat' in Delhi, traffic advisory issued

Farmers hold their 'Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat' in New Delhi on Thursday, March 14, but with conditions. The Delhi Police said the gathering cannot exceed the limit of 5,000 people, no tractor trolleys, no march at the Ramlila Maidan.

In view of the protest, Delhi Police has also made elaborate security arrangements that may lead to a heavy traffic jam. The police have also issued traffic advisory for the commuters to avoid roads leading to central Delhi, they said.

The umbrella body of farmers' organisations, Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), which had spearheaded the 2020-21 farmers' protest at Delhi borders against the three central farm laws, has said they will hold a 'Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat' at the Ramlila Maidan where a resolution will be passed to "intensify the fight" against the policies of the government.

A police officer told PTI that the farmers have been asked to vacate the Ramlila Maidan soon after culmination of their programme after 2:30 pm.

The traffic may be affected in various parts of the national capital. 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 round about, 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.

The three Delhi borders -- Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur -- have been witnessing a heavy deployment of paramilitary personnel to stop the ongoing protest of the farmers demanding to march to Delhi.

Hundreds of farmers are still sitting at Punjab-Haryana borders for the past since February 13.