LIVE: UP govt asks police officers to end farmers' protests in state

Farmers' protest LIVE updates: The Delhi Police Crime Branch will investigate the cases of violence at the Red Fort, ITO and seven other places

4:06 AM

AAP leaders will voluntarily court arrest if farmers' protest sites forcibly vacated: Sanjay Singh

AAP leader Sanjay Singh on Thursday said the party stands with farmers agitating against the Centre's contentious farm laws and its leaders will "voluntarily" court arrest if the police will try to forcibly remove peasants from protest sites.
 

He said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal spoke to Bharatiya Kisan Union's (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait who told him that the water supply to the UP Gate protest site in Ghaziabad had been cut.
 

The Rajya Sabha MP further said the party would raise the issue in Parliament.
 

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader's remarks come after the Ghaziabad administration gave an ultimatum to the agitating farmers to vacate the UP Gate protest site by Thursday midnight.
 

However, Tikait remained adamant, saying he would commit suicide but won't end the stir.
 

So far, three farmer unions have withdrawn their protest against the Centre's farm laws over the violence in Delhi on Republic Day that left a protester dead and nearly 400 police personnel injured.
 

Singh said the AAP stands with the protesting farmers.
 

"If there is violence against farmers and the police try to forcibly vacate the protest sites, the AAP will intensify protests and AAP leaders will even voluntarily court arrest," he said.
 

Tikait told Kejriwal that the water supply to protest sites has been cut and toilets have been removed, the senior AAP leader said.
 

4:05 AM

Farmers stay put at UP Gate, 'excess force' removed

Hundreds of Bharatiya Kisan Union members stayed put on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway early on Friday, notwithstanding the Ghaziabad administration's ultimatum to vacate the UP Gate protest site.
 

A confrontation was building up at the UP Gate in Ghazipur even as frequent power cuts were witnessed in the evening at the protest site, where BKU members, led by Rakesh Tikait, are staying put since November 28.
 

In a post-midnight review of situation, Ghaziabad District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey and Senior Superintendent of Police Kalanidhi Naithani visited the protest site even as hundreds of security personnel in anti-riot gears were deployed since Thursday.
 

Flanked by supporters at 1 am, Tikait remained at the centre stage of the protest site -- the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, which has been barricaded from both the sides, prohibiting regular traffic movement.
 

Around 500 protestors stayed put at UP Gate with more pouring in from western Uttar Pradesh in the night on the call of the BKU, an influential farmers' union in North India.
 

"Excess security force from the protest site has been withdrawn and only a minimal deployment of personnel remains there," a Ghaziabad police officer told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
 

"The tension was building at UP Gate due to excessive deployment of force since Thursday evening," the officer added.

11:12 PM

We will not vacate the site: Bharatiya Kisan Union spokesperson Rakesh Tikait at Ghazipur border

11:09 PM

Special Cell to probe conspiracy angle behind R-Day violence; protesters asked to vacate UP Gate

Delhi Police on Thursday issued lookout notices against farmer leaders and registered a case under the stringent UAPA and sedition for the Republic Day violence and said its Special Cell will probe the "conspiracy" and "criminal designs" behind the incidents, even as the Ghaziabad administration gave an ultimatum to the protesters at UP Gate to vacate the site by tonight, according to PTI.

10:54 PM

Farmer leaders at Singhu take out 'Sadbhavna' rally to reinforce unity among protesters

Farmer union leaders took out a "Sadbhavna rally" from the Singhu border on Thursday to reinforce a sense of unity among the protestors, two days after their tractor parade turned violent, leaving 394 security personnel injured and one agitator dead. Several farmer union leaders, including including Balbir Singh Rajewal, Daljeet Singh Dallewal, Darshan Pal and Gurnam Singh Chaduni, who led the rally said the march was organised "to counter the forces trying to divide the protesting farmers along religious lines and as per states" and to show that they respect the tricolour.

Several tractors and two-wheelers with the national flag took part in the 16 km-long rally which started from the stage at the Singhu protest site and went up to the beginning of the Kundli-Manesar Palwal highway."This rally was a response to the government's allegations that the farmers insulted the national flag on Republic Day. Farmers from both Punjab and Haryana participated in the rally which displayed immense unity between the two states.

"We wanted to take out this rally to show that the farmers respect the national flag more than anyone else. And this country belongs to the farmers, because it is functioning essentially because of its farmers and the labourers," said Avtar Singh Mehma of the Krantikari Kisan Union (Punjab). He added that all the participating vehicles in the rally did not have their farmer union flags, but just the tricolour. Throughout the course of the rally, participating farmers chanted slogans of farmer unity and Punjab-Haryana brotherhood.

10:53 PM

Issuance of lookout notices against farmer leaders is 'absolutely wrong': Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday said the Delhi Police issuing lookout notices against farmer leaders over the tractor rally violence is "absolutely wrong". He also said treating the farmers as "flight risk" was not only illogical but condemnable". "Where will they flee?" asked the chief minister, adding that most of them are small farmers with small land holdings and not some "big corporate raiders" who had fled over the past few years after "looting" the country of billions of rupees.

"You failed to stop these bigwigs but are now targeting these small farmers fighting for their survival," he said and appealed to the Centre to immediately direct the Delhi Police to withdraw the lookout notices. The Delhi Police has issued lookout notices against farmer leaders who have been named in an FIR filed in connection with the violence that broke out during the farmers' tractor parade in the national capital on Republic Day.

A lookout notice is issued to prevent an accused from leaving the country. n a statement here, the chief minister also questioned the Delhi Police's decision to name farmer leaders in the FIRs in connection with the violence without any evidence against them.

9:09 PM

Farmers' protest: Crowd visibly thin at protest sites; leaders say agitation still strong

The crowd at the protest sites in Delhi's Singhu and Tikri borders was visibly thin on Thursday two days after the tractor parade turned violent, even though the farmer unions said it was because the protesters, who had come to the national capital to take part in January 26 march, have returned home, PTI reported. Additional police personnel were deployed at the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders -- the three main sites where farmers have been protesting the Centre's new farm laws -- as a preventive measure in the view of the violence on Republic Day that left 394 policemen injured and one protestor dead.

 

The Singhu border, one of the major protest sites that has been home to thousands of farmers for over two months, was noticeably less populated on Thursday than what it used to be before the Republic day, or even before that.

 

The number of tractors have reduced, and so have the protestors, while reaching from one end to the other end of the street, that were chock-a-block till last week, can be now done in no time.

9:03 PM

Lookout notice against farmers absolutely wrong: Punjab CM

Terming the issuance of lookout notices against farmer leaders as "absolutely wrong", Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday said treating the farmers as a flight risk was not only illogical but condemnable, IANS reported.
 

"Where will they flee?" he asked, pointing out that most of them were small farmers with small land holdings and not big businessmen like Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and Mehul Choksi, who had fled over the past few years after looting billions of rupees. "You failed to stop these bigwigs but are now targetting these small farmers fighting for their survival," said Amarinder Singh, urging the Centre to immediately direct the Delhi Police to withdraw the lookout notices.

 

The Chief Minister also questioned the Delhi Police's decision to name farmer leaders in the FIRs of the Republic Day violence without any evidence against them.

8:52 PM

Centre ignoring my pleas on farmers, on fast from Jan 30: Anna Hazare

Social crusader Kisan Baburao alias Anna Hazare on Thursday lamented that the Centre is ignoring all his pleas on the farmers' demands, compelling him to go on another hunger strike from January 30, IANS reported. The 83-year-old anti-graft activist said that he had been agitating for the farmers since four years and in past three months only, he had written on this five times to the Prime Minister and Union Agriculture Minister.

 

"But it seems that the government is not taking appropriate decisions on the issue of farmers. The government is not sensitive to the plight of farmers. So I will start a fast from the Yadavbaba Temple in Ralegan-Siddhi on January 30, the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination," Hazare announced.

 

Detailing his struggles, Hazare said he had launched a hunger strike in Delhi on March 23, 2018 after which the PMO gave a written assurance on March 29 on the MSP demand and other issues.

8:46 PM

We're also hurt by Red fort incident, says Bhartiya Kisan Union (Lok Shakti)

8:45 PM

Ghazipur border closed, says Delhi Traffic Police

Ghazipur border closed. Traffic diverted from NH 24, NH 9, Road no 56, 57 A, Kondli, Paper market, Telco T point, EDM Mall, Akshardham & Nizammudin Khatta. Traffic is very heavy in the area and Vikas marg, Please take alternate route: Delhi Traffic Police

8:36 PM

Bengal assembly passes resolution against new farm laws; sixth non-BJP state to do so

The West Bengal on Thursday became the sixth state to pass a resolution against the three contentious farm laws enacted by the Centre, even as the opposition BJP staged a walkout from the assembly amid "Jai Shri Ram" slogans, PTI reported.

 

State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee moved the resolution under rule 169 urging the centre that the three laws- the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act,2020; the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020- be repealed.

 

West Bengal assembly is the sixth to pass such a resolution after Punjab, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Delhi and Kerala.

8:28 PM

Will commit suicide but won't end protest until farm bills are repealed: Rakesh Tikait

Will commit suicide but won't end protest until farm bills are repealed: PTI quoted BKU's Rakesh Tikait as saying.

8:20 PM

Clip of violence and vandalism at Delhi's Red Fort on 26th January: ANI

8:12 PM

Protesters cornered at Singhu border, key routes blocked: IANS

In view of the tensed situation at the Singhu border, the protesters camping at the site have been cornered to a designated area near the central stage, while the key routes connecting Delhi and Haryana around the border were blocked on Thursday, according to IANS report. Several routes connecting both Delhi and Haryana to the Singhu border were also closed by the Delhi police and para military forces. Besides, barricades have also been put up to disperse the protesters.

 

"We have stepped up arrangements to prevent any untoward incident at the Singhu border. The shops adjoining the border were also forced to shut," said a senior Delhi police officer.

 

Two days after the violence broke out in the national capital, local residents around the Singhu border on Thursday demanded that farmers should vacate the protest site. Some locals from Bakhtawar Pur and Hamidpur villages were seen agitating against the farmers at the border.

8:10 PM

A notice issued to farmers at Ghazipur border under Section 133 of CrPC: ANI

7:57 PM

SAD to boycott President's address to joint sitting of parliament to protest farm laws

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday said it will boycott the President's address to joint session of parliament to protest the "adamant manner" in which the Centre was "bent" on implementing the three farm laws, news agency PTI reported.

 

This came on a day 16 Opposition parties led by the Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena and the TMC decided to boycott the president's address in solidarity with the farmers protesting the new farm laws. Besides, the AAP too has decided to not attend the address.

 

The budget session of Parliament will begin with the address of President Ram Nath Kovind to the joint sitting of the two Houses on Friday morning.

7:49 PM

Around 30 farmers from DDA Ground in Burari moved towards Singhu border: Delhi Police

Around 30 farmers from DDA Ground in Burari have moved towards Singhu border and other farmers (around 15) have been detained for their possible involvement in violence on January 26, and for violating laws. Burari ground is being cleared: Delhi Police

7:44 PM

Farmers' protest LIVE: Ghaziabad cops ask protesters to leave

The Ghaziabad administration has given an ultimatum to protesting farmers to vacate UP Gate by Thursday midnight or else they would be removed. The "verbal" communication comes after three farmers union withdrew their protest against the three central farm laws over the violence in Delhi on Republic Day.

 

"Ghaziabad District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey has communicated to the protestors camping at the UP Gate at Delhi border to vacate the spot by tonight or the administration will remove them," a district official told PTI.

7:07 PM

Uttar Pradesh govt orders all DMs and SSPs to ensure end of farmers' agitations in the state: PTI

Uttar Pradesh government has ordered all DMs and SSPs to ensure the end of all the farmers' agitations in the state: Government officials

6:40 PM

Delhi Police Crime Branch to probe violence at Red Fort, ITO, 7 other places during farmers' tractor rally

The Delhi Police Crime Branch will investigate the cases of violence at the Red Fort, ITO and seven other places during the farmers' tractor parade on Republic Day, PTI reported. The official said the police have so far registered 33 FIRs in connection with the violence that left 394 police personnel injured and one protester dead on January 26. Lookout notices have been issued against 44 people, the official said.

 

Thousands of protesting farmers had clashed with the police during the tractor rally called by farmer unions to highlight their demand for repeal of the Centre's three farm laws.

 

Many of the protesters, driving tractors, reached the Red Fort and entered the monument. Some protesters even hoisted religious flags on its domes and the flagstaff at the ramparts, where the national flag is unfurled by the prime minister on Independence Day.

6:32 PM

Delhi Police Crime Branch will investigate cases related to violence at Red Fort, ITO and other places

Delhi Police Crime Branch will investigate cases related to violence at Red Fort, ITO and seven other places: Official

6:22 PM

33 FIRs registered in Delhi in connection with Jan 26 violence: Police

33 FIRs have been registered at several police stations in Delhi in connection with Jan 26 violence. Nine of them have been transferred to the Crime Branch. Look Out Circulars have been issued against 44 people including farmer leaders in this matter: Delhi Police

6:07 PM

Delhi violence: Police intensify probe, issue lookout notices against farmer leaders named in FIR

Delhi Police on Thursday issued lookout notices against farmer leaders named in an FIR in connection with the violence during the farmers' tractor parade on Republic Day and invoked sedition charges in a case of the Red Fort incident as the force intensified its investigation.

 

It also asked the farmer leaders to submit their response within three days, explaining why legal action should not be taken against them as they did not follow conditions set for the parade. PTI report said that around nine crack teams have been formed to locate all the culprits, even as there was no official confirmation from the police yet.

 

The move comes a day after Police Commissioner S N Shrivastava said that no culprit would be spared. On Thursday, Shrivastava held a meeting with the special commissioner of police (Intelligence) and other senior police officers at the police headquarters.

5:13 PM

West Bengal assembly passes resolution demanding withdrawal of new farm laws

The West Bengal assembly on Thursday passed a resolution against the three contentious farm laws enacted by the Centre and demanded that they be withdrawn immediately. The resolution was moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee. While speaking on the resolution, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the Centre should either withdraw the new laws or step down.

 

The CPI(M) and the Congress supported the resolution but demanded that the state government withdraw similar laws it had passed a few years back. BJP MLAs opposed the resolution and staged a walkout shouting "Jai Shri Ram" slogans.

5:05 PM

Bharatiya Kisan Union alleges violence during R-Day tractor rally conspiracy to malign farmer unions

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait has said that the violence, which took place on January 26 in the national capital, was a "conspiracy to malign the farmer unions and distance Punjab from the rest of the country".

 

"The violence that occurred on January 26 was a conspiracy to malign the farmer unions and distance Punjab from the rest of the country," Tikait said while addressing farmers at Singhu border on Wednesday.

 

He also said that farmers will head to local Police stations around Ghazipur border if the power supply is cut off in the area. Tikait warned that the onus of what happens next would lie on the government.

 

Commenting on Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu, the BKU spokesperson said: "Someone goes there and hoists a flag, why was no firing done? Where was the police? How did he go there? Police allowed him to leave and didn't arrest him. Nothing has been done even now. Who was the person who maligned an entire community and organisation?"

4:38 PM

AAP to boycott President's address to joint sitting of parliament over farmers protest

A day before the start of the Budget Session of Parliament, the AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Thursday said his party will boycott the president's address to the joint sitting of both houses over the ongoing farmers protest. Apart from AAP, 16 opposition parties have decided to boycott the president's address in solidarity with the farmers protesting the new farm laws, PTI reported.

 

The 16 parties that will boycott President Ram Nath Kovind's the address on Friday are the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, National Conference, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena, Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Communist Party of India (Marxist), CPI, Indian Union Muslim League, RSP, Peoples Democratic Party, MDMK, Kerala Congress (M) and the All India United Democratic Front.

 

"The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will boycott President Ram Nath Kovind's address on Friday in Parliament ahead of budget session over the ongoing farmers protest," Singh said.

4:35 PM

Apart from 16 opposition parties, AAP says it will also boycott President's address in Parliament

Apart from 16 opposition parties, AAP says it will also boycott President's address in Parliament over farmers protest against farm laws

3:55 PM

Farm laws: 16 oppn parties to boycott president's address to Parliament

A total of 16 Opposition parties have decided to boycott the president's address to the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament in solidarity with the farmers protesting the new farm laws, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Thursday.

 

The 16 Opposition parties also demand a probe into the Centre's role in violence on Republic Day in Delhi, said the leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha while speaking to the media with Congress' chief whip in Lok Sabha, K Suresh, by his side.

 

The Congress on Wednesday had held Union Home Minister Amit Shah responsible for the violence that shook the national capital on Republic Day and said he should be sacked immediately. READ ON...

3:37 PM

Police barricading in place at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) to restrict protesters