Eight companies of paramilitary forces to deal with farmers’ protest

New Delhi: The Centre has pressed eight companies of paramilitary forces as the Delhi police on Friday allowed farmers to hold peaceful protests at Burari in North Delhi. The Union home ministry, monitoring the law and order situation, directed the Delhi police to hold dialogue with farmers’ leaders and permit them inside the national capital with certain conditions, official sources said.

As many as six CRPFcrpfalong with CISF and Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed at Singhu and Tikri borders, said officials. “We are monitoring the situation in Delhi and Haryana. Delhi police, along with paramilitary forces, have been deployed at various locations to prevent any untoward incidents. They have been further told to deal firmly with anyone who indulges in violent activities,” said a senior government official.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh and agriculture minister N S Tomar have reached out to agitating farmers to allay apprehensions about the recently passed farm bill, said official. Delhi police said it has deployed anti-riot teams along with the local police in some identified locations. Later during the day, Haryana police removed the barricades at Haryana and Punjab border after Delhi police allowed farmers to enter the national capital.


For the last two days, thousands of farmers clashed with Haryana police to enter the national capital to hold planned protest against the new farm laws. The police had to use water cannons and tear gas against the farmers who defied barricades to march towards Delhi.

Traffic was diverted at several places along the national capital's border in view of the protest. Vehicle checking was intensified at the Delhi-Gurgaon border leading to heavy traffic snarls. CISF personnel have also been deployed on the Delhi-Gurgaon border. Six sand-laden trucks and four water cannons have been stationed at the Singhu border to stop tractors being driven by the protesters. The city police has deployed drones to keep a tight vigil on vehicular movement. On Friday, the Delhi Police used tear gas shells to disperse a group of farmers who had reached the Singhu border as part of their 'Delhi Chalo' march.