Uttar Pradesh farmers march into Delhi, target protests at Parliament

NEW DELHI: Key streets leading to Parliament in national capital New Delhi were blocked on Thursday by thousands of farmers from Uttar Pradesh, as part of a protest against the state government acquiring land at low prices to build and complete the Yamuna Expressway project.

Farmers arrived in Delhi via Ghaziabad, NOIDA, Loni and Faridabad borders.

Traffic movement was affected at Rajghat, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Barakhamba Road, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Janpath, Ranjit Singh Marg and Tolstoy Marg.

Movement towards the New Delhi Railway Station through Ajmere Gate was also be affected by traffic jams at Ajmere Gate, Darya Ganj and Chandni Chowk

Delhi and Ghaziabad police sources said that they were expecting between 12,000 and 14,000 farmers to congregate in the capital to protest against the 'forceful' acquisition of their land for the Yamuna Expressway, a dream project of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.

Though special security pickets have been set up from Wednesday night at Delhi's borders with Uttar Pradesh, the protesting farmers have been able to enter the city, some of them with their tractors.

Delhi's Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg has asked Delhiites to avoid the stretch between Ramlila Maidan, Rajghat, Barakhamba Road, Ranjit Singh Marg, Tolstoy Marg, Connaught Place, Mandi House, Daryaganj and Chandni Chowk.