Farmers' protest: Delhi police withdraws additional troops from Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur

In a hint at de-escalating tensions with protesting farmers, Delhi police on Monday, has withdrawn additional forces from city's borders at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, according to ANI. Delhi police have reportedly instructed additional forces to go back to ir respective units and districts, as per an internal communication. Farmers continue to demand repeal of Centre's three Agriculture Laws, protesting at Delhi's borders in Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri for 74th consecutive day.

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Delhi police withdraw additional forces

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Delhi police 'fortifies' borders

On February 1, after violence witnessed on Republic Day, Delhi police fortified city borders by cementing nails near barricades at Ghazipur (Delhi-Uttar Pradesh) and Tikri (Delhi-Haryana) borders. Visuals from sites also show lines of barricades topped with barbed wire between two cement walls on highways, blocking access to roads completely. Meanwhile, workers under watch of police personnel hooked iron rods between two rows of cement barriers on a flank of main highway at Singhu border to restrict protestors' movement in Singhu - which has been mainst of protests. Reacting to developments, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "GOI, Build bridges, t walls!"

Moreover, MHA had snapped off internet across all three border areas - Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur and later extended ban to 1-2 days more. Later a delegation of 15 Opposition MPs visited borders, but could t meet protesting farmers due to heavy barricading. Several Opposition leaders like Digvijay Singh, Deepinder Singh Hooda, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have lashed out at Centre highlighting 150+ deaths since protests began, demanding a separate debate on farmers issue. In his Motion of Thanks to President's Speech, PM Modi once again urged protesting farmers to go home and talk with Centre for amendments.

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Centre-Farmer talks stall

After 11 rounds of Centre-farmer talks, two parties failed to reach a middle ground on Friday after a five-hour meeting with associations refusing to agree to Centre's proposal for suspending implementation of aforesaid legislation for one and a half years. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar categorically said that Union government is ready for ar meeting only if farmers want to discuss this proposal. Supreme Court has stayed three laws and constituted a 3-member panel to hold talks with farmers. While Centre has welcomed this move, farmers have refused to participate in it, insisting to talk only with Centre.

Iron nails fixed on roads at Ghazipur border being 'repositioned': Delhi Police clarifies