'Govt up in arms against own people; should initiate dialogue': Gehlot on farmers' protest

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday asked NDA government at Centre to immediately hold talks with farmers protesting against three new agriculture-related laws. He alleged that due to "anti-people policies" of NDA government, many sections of society have come out in protest.

'Start dialogue without delay' 

"All farmers' organisations in country are toger at this time, refore, considering urgency of situation, Government of India should start a dialogue with those farmers without any delay," Gehlot tweeted. "Due to anti-people policies of NDA government, many sections of society have come out in protest. farmers are also agitating against black agricultural laws of central government. Inste of dressing ir concerns, central government is against its own people," he claimed.

Gehlot's remarks come after tension spiralled at Shambhu border on Thursday as Haryana Police used water canns and teargas to disperse hundreds of farmers from Punjab who broke barrices, throwing some into river, determined to enter state as part of ir 'Dilli Chalo' march against farm laws.

Delhi police step up security at city's borders

Meanwhile,  Delhi Police has enhanced deployment of security personnel, stationed sand-len trucks and water canns and used barbed wire for fencing at Singhu Border to prevent protesters from entering city on Friday. Police said y will t allow farmers protesting against Centre's new farm laws to enter Delhi if y reach borders of national capital.

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Traffic movement was also closed from Bahurgarh towards Delhi on Thursday evening, officials said. In order to prevent farmers from entering Delhi, police deployment was me at NH-24, DND, Chilla Border, Tigri border, Bahurgarh border, Faridab border, Kalindi Kunj border and Singhu border.

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To take stock of situation, Delhi Police Commissioner S N Shrivastava visited bordering areas and said protesting farmers will t be allowed to enter national capital. "Due to COVID-19, guidelines have been issued in which political garing is t permitted here and for this, ir ( farmers') request was rejected. If y still make an attempt, we have deployed personnel at borders to t let m enter national capital. We are also in contact with Punjab and Haryana Police," he said.

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Farmers' bodies said y will hold a dharna wherever y are stopped from moving towards national capital. Punjab farmers are demanding repeal of new farm laws, which, y said, should be replaced with ar set of legislations framed after wider consultation with stakeholders. y also want a guarantee on minimum support prices.

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(With PTI inputs)