Ahead of Tuesday’s Delhi march announced by farmer unions, the Chandigarh administration has deployed 1,200 police personnel, installed barricades and blocked roads at all entry and exit points in the Union Territory.
“There are many villages in Chandigarh where residents, especially farmers, aggressively participated in the 2021 farmer protests. They had also held protests and tractor-trolley rallies in Chandigarh. Security arrangements have been made to prevent their march towards Delhi. We cannot take any chances. We also want to ensure that farmers in the villages in Chandigarh do not protest,” a police officer requesting anonymity said.
Chandigarh villages which have farmer communities include Khuda-Ali Sher, Khuda-Jassu, Kaimbwala, Dhanas, Faida, Kishangarh and Mani Majra.
Housing Board Light Point, Zirakpur Light Point, Mullanpur Barrier, Mattur Barrier, Fun Republic Light Point and Faida Barrier are among the entry and exit points where barricades have been installed and police personnel deputed.
SSP Kanwardeep Kaur said, “As many as 1200 police personnel, six DSPs along with eight inspectors were deputed for maintaining the law and order situation. There is no information that farmers will enter Chandigarh.”
Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was imposed in Chandigarh on Sunday for the next 60 days.
A police officer said, “As per the orders of the Chandigarh district magistrate, CrPC section 144 has been imposed in the city for a period of 60 days. A ban is imposed on gatherings by five or more people, processions, demonstrations and marches on foot or with tractor-trolleys or other vehicles as well as on carrying of any sticks, rods or weapons for the purposes. No vehicles, especially tractor-trolleys, will be allowed to move within the Union Territory.”
Chandigarh traffic advisory for Tuesday
The Chandigarh traffic police have issued an advisory urging people to avoid Mattur Barrier (dividing road, Sector 51/52), Furniture Market Barrier on the zero border line (Chandigarh–Mohali road, Sector 53/54), Badheri Barrier (dividing road, Sector 54/55), dividing road in Sector 55/56, Mohali Barrier (near PP Palsora), Faidan Barrier, Zirakpur Barrier, Mullanpur Barrier, Naya Gaon Barrier, Dhillon Barrier and Housing Board Light Point Manimajra on Tuesday. Traffic will be diverted from these areas as per the ground situation.
The police appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary travel, cooperate with them and follow the instructions. “In case of any violation, the offenders shall be prosecuted with strict penal action under the relevant provisions of law issued in public interest,” the advisory said.