Delhi-Noida farmers protest highlights: Farmers call off march to Parliament, to continue protesting in Noida, other places

Farmers from more than 140 villages in Noida and Greater Noida are marching towards Parliament on Thursday after the demands of three farmer unions to resolve their longstanding issues related to land acquisitions have yet to be met.

Currently, four protests are going on in the Gautam Buddha Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. The Jai Jawan Jai Kisan organisation heads the protest against the Ansal builders, All India Kisan Sabha against Greater Noida Authority and Bharatiya Kisan Parishad at National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) headquarters in Sector 24 and Noida Authority in Sector 6.

Here is why the farmers are protesting

Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot ordered constitution of a committee to inquire into the Gokulpuri metro station incident, asked the DMRC to disburse compensation to victims within 24 hours and provide assistance to the injured.

• Around 150 farmers have been stopped near the Mahamaya flyover in Noida by the Uttar Pradesh Police.
• Massive traffic jams witnessed on the Delhi-Noida border, Sarita Vihar and Delhi-Noida highway.
• Security has been stepped up in the national capital, especially on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, with heavy duty bulldozers, backhoe machines, Vikraant logistic vehicles, riot control vehicles and water cannons at the ready.
• Pickets and barricades were installed on the border areas connecting Delhi-Haryana and Delhi-Uttar Pradesh.
• Delhi Traffic Police has warned of heavy traffic on the routes connected to Soniya Vihar, DND, Chilla, Ghazipur, Sabhapur, Apsara and Loni borders on Thursday.
• The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police has imposed Section 144 on Wednesday and Thursday.
• Farmer groups in Noida and Greater Noida have been protesting since December 2023, with demands for greater compensation and developed plots against their lands acquired by the local development authorities in the past.

The Haryana Police has asked farmers not to participate without permission in a planned march to Delhi next week and warned them of strict action if they damage public property.

The warning has been issued in notices to farmer organisation gearing up to take part in 'Delhi Chalo' agitation on February 13 to press for demands, including a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) and implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations.

If any person is found participating in the protest without permission, legal action will be taken against them, Ambala SP Jashandeep Singh Randhawa stated. Randhawa said if agitators damage public property, strict action will be taken against them under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

The Delhi Traffic Police took to X and issued an alert stating that "traffic is affected in the carriageway from Kalindi Kunj towards Noida due to demonstration near Mahamaya Flyover in Noida."

Massive traffic jams were witnessed on the Delhi-Noida border on Thursday as police personnel were deployed to check vehicles after a protest called by farmers in Noida and Greater Noida, officials said.

Motorists spent hours in the crawling traffic as the police personnel with heavy equipment were on alert to restrict movement on the road at the Delhi-Noida borders near Mayur Vihar, as the farmers tried to enter the national capital. A senior Delhi Police officer at the border said that traffic was allowed but, if needed, the road will be blocked completely. "As of now, the Uttar Pradesh Police is dealing with them and hopefully they will not enter Delhi," he said.

Long queues of vehicles choked the roads as several two-wheelers and four-wheelers were stuck in the jam at Sarita Vihar, officials said. "I am headed to Agra and cannot change route now because this is the only way which will take me to the highway. It's not clear how much time it will take as the traffic is very slow," said motorist Raj Sharma.

A heavy traffic jam was reported on the Delhi-Noida highway as well, officials said.

Meanwhile, security has been stepped up in the national capital, especially on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, in view of the protests by farmers, officials added.
At the Delhi-Noida border, heavy police force was deployed. Heavy duty bulldozers, backhoe machines, Vikraant logistic vehicles, riot control vehicles and water cannons were parked strategically to meet any eventuality in case farmers reached there. Around 150 farmers have been stopped near the Mahamaya flyover in Noida by the Uttar Pradesh Police, officials said. Alternative traffic arrangements have been made and commuters were advised to avoid certain roads.

"Heavy security arrangements have been made in different border entry points in the national capital. No one will be allowed to breach law and order," a senior police officer said. Another police officer said that heavy security forces have already been deployed along with paramilitary forces to maintain law and order. Pickets and barricades were installed on the border areas connecting Delhi-Haryana and Delhi-Uttar Pradesh, he added.

According to the Delhi Traffic Police, heavy traffic is expected on the routes connected to Soniya Vihar, DND, Chilla, Ghazipur, Sabhapur, Apsara and Loni borders on Thursday. Commuters have been asked to avoid or plan their journey accordingly.

Ahead of the protests in Noida and Greater Noida, the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police has imposed Section 144 on Wednesday and Thursday. Police also issued a traffic advisory, cautioning commuters against diversions on some routes in the twin cities in view of the farmers' movement on tractors.

Farmer groups in Noida and Greater Noida have been protesting since December 2023, with demands for greater compensation and developed plots against their lands acquired by the local development authorities in the past. (PTI)

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Thursday announced Rs 25 lakh in compensation for the family of 53-year-old man who died after a portion of the Gokulpuri Metro Station on the Pink Line in northeast Delhi collapsed, official statement said.

The DMRC announced Rs 5 lakh for the grievously injured and Rs 1 lakh for those who received minor injuries, it stated. The transporters also suspended two of its officials over the collapse. "Two DMRC officials, a manager and a junior engineer from the civil department, have been immediately suspended," the statement read.
The transporter had initially announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 for minor injury, Rs 2.5 lakh for grievous injury and Rs 15 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. The figures were later increased.

The DMRC will be investigating the circumstances leading to this incident to take necessary remedial measures to prevent such unfortunate occurrences in the future, it said. According to the statement, in an incident at the Gokulpuri Metro Station on Pink Line, a portion of the station wall towards 'up' platform fell on the road at 11.04 am on Thursday, injuring five persons. They were rushed to the nearest hospital for medical attention.

"However, one of the injured unfortunately passed away," Anuj Dayal, principal executive director corporate communications of DMRC, said. "Taking immediate cognisance of the unfortunate incident at Gokulpuri, DMRC's managing director Vikas Kumar has issued instructions to all the concerned departments in DMRC to conduct vigorous safety checks across the Delhi metro network," Dayal said.

The road was cleared of the debris within an hour of the incident to ensure seamless traffic movement, he said. The executive directorvil\O&M is at the site for a first-hand assessment of the situation apart from officials from all concerned departments, he said. The DMRC officials are at the hospital ensuring all possible assistance to the injured. All details regarding the incident have been shared with the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS), Dayal said.

As precaution, train services on the small stretch from Maujpur to Shiv Vihar are being run on single line to repair the fallen portion on the Gokulpuri station, which has also been temporarily closed.

Train services on the rest of Pink Line are running normally, Dayal added. (PTI)

Farmers from more than 140 villages in Noida and Greater Noida are marching towards Parliament on Thursday after the demands of three farmer unions to resolve their longstanding issues related to land acquisitions have yet to be met.

Currently, four protests are going on in the Gautam Buddha Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. The Jai Jawan Jai Kisan organisation heads the protest against the Ansal builders, All India Kisan Sabha against Greater Noida Authority and Bharatiya Kisan Parishad at National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) headquarters in Sector 24 and Noida Authority in Sector 6.

All these organisations called a Mahapanchayat on Wednesday at the Greater Noida Authority office, where a decision was taken to march to Parliament on Thursday, demanding the resolution of their issues in a time-bound manner. (Read Dheeraj Mishra's report here)

Massive traffic jams reported on the Kalindi Kunj route leading up to Noida, near Sarita Vihar. Senior traffic officers said adequate staff has been deployed to clear the way out even as stringent checking is being carried out at pickets erected to ensure no protestor enters Delhi. 

(Photos by Tashi Tobgyal)

A portion of the boundary wall of the Gokulpuri metro station in Delhi collapsed on Thursday morning, killing one and injuring four others.

The deceased was identified as Vinod Kumar, 53, a resident of Karawal Nagar.

Police have detained around 20 farmers who were protesting in front of the NTPC office in sector 24, Noida. In view of the farmer’s proposed march to the Parliament today, the Noida Police has heightened security at Delhi borders and Kisan Chowk.

 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hit out at the Centre Thursday, saying that it “feels like the Union government has declared war on the opposition party-ruled governments.” The CM was speaking at a protest at Jantar Mantar called by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan against the Centre’s alleged discrimination against states. The Kerala government has alleged that the fiscal policies of the BJP -led government are financially stifling the state.

“This country had to see this day… Jantar Mantar is where citizens come to protest, but today, the CM of Kerala had to come all the way leaving his work behind. 70 crore people are being represented by opposition governments. It feels like the union government has declared war on the opposition party governments. Don’t you (Centre) consider these people as your own — the people of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab and Delhi?” Kejriwal said. He accused the BJP-led Centre of not releasing funds for states. He also flagged interference by the governors in state matters and the arrest of Opposition leaders to “break” governments.

Hundreds of farmers have gathered at Mahamaya Flyover to march towards the Parliament.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann arrived at the Jantar Mantar, where Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan is leading the Left Democratic Front (LDF) protest against the Centre's alleged discrimination against Kerala.

A slab fell off Gokulpuri metro station, injuring two-three bikers who were reportedly struck by the slab. A call was received at 11.05 am and four fire tenders were rushed to the spot.

Pinarayi Vijayan addressed the crowd at Jantar Mantar and said, "Yesterday, Karnataka protested, Kerala has come here today. TN has also voiced concerns. Yesterday, the PM said South India is working against the unity of India. But it's the Union engaging in it. The federalism and secularism bolster the unity and we stand for it. If this is being violated, we will react to strengthen the unity of the country."

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan in Delhi led the Left Democratic Front (LDF) protest against the Centre's alleged discrimination against Kerala, where he addressed the crowd and said: "We have come together to register our strong protest and preserve the federal structure of India. Today, we are making the beginning of a reunited fight that would herald the dawn of ensuring equal treatment of the states. This fight will also strive to maintain balance in the Centre-State relation. 8th Feb is going to be a red letter day in the history of India."

Dr Farooq Abdullah has joined the Kerala government's protest against the Centre at Jantar Mantra.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan is leading a protest against the Centre at Jantar Mantar.  The Kerala government alleges that the fiscal policies of the BJP -led government are financially stifling the state.

DCP (Outer North) Ravi Kumar said multiple companies of police personnel have been deployed at border points at Eastern border points and other nearby border areas to prevent entering of tractors.

Ahead of major protest demonstrations by farmers in Noida and Greater Noida, the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police on Tuesday said restrictions under CrPC Section 144 will be in effect on February 7 and 8.

Police also issued a traffic advisory, cautioning commuters against diversions on some routes in the twin cities in view of the farmers’ movement on tractors.

In view of the farmer's proposed march to the parliament today, barriers are being installed at all the borders of Delhi and at Kisan Chowk and other places, each vehicle is being checked and passed, due to which the traffic is moving slowly, the Noida Police said.

DCP (Outer North) Ravi Kumar said multiple companies of police personnel have been deployed at border points at Eastern border points and other nearby border areas to prevent entering of tractors.

Kerala claims the Centre has made a curtailment of Rs 57,400 crore in the State Receipts in the current fiscal, and it is not getting its due share from the tax collected by the Centre.

Quoting an RBI report on state finances, the Kerala government says that as per the statistics of 2021-23, on the national average, the Centre is to provide Rs 35 for every Rs 65 collected by the states. But the Centre provides only Rs 21 against Kerala’s own tax collection of every Rs 79. That is, only Rs 21 out of Rs 100 is the Centre’s contribution. Uttar Pradesh gets Rs 46 out of Rs 100 from the Centre. Bihar gets Rs 70 out of Rs 100.

It also says the state was deprived of a major source of revenue, Rs 12,000 crore this year, because of the cessation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation from June 2022.

Here is a look at more of the issues. 

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Maan are expected to join Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan in the Left Democratic Front (LDF) protest against the Centre at Jantar Mantar in Delhi today, a day after the Karnataka government held a similar protest over the distribution of central funds. The Kerala government alleges that the fiscal policies of the BJP -led government are financially stifling the state.

Gusty winds are expected during the day today, with the maximum temperature expected to be around 21 degrees Celsius. The minimum was recorded as 8.2 degrees Celsius, a degree below normal.

As per the IMD, strong surface wind of the order of 25-35 kmph are likely to prevail over most parts of Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and over some parts of West Bengal, north Madhya Pradesh and extreme northeast Rajasthan during day time.

More funds for key transport projects; new sports complexes and a golf course; rejuvenating the Yamuna floodplains and creating scenic riverfront spaces like Asita East, Baansera, and Vasudev Ghat; more biodiversity parks — The Delhi Development Authority’s annual budget for 2024-25 is focusing on a slew of infrastructure and environment work. The land authority approved the budget with an outlay of Rs 8,811 crore; it has dedicated 61% of its total allocations to infrastructure work.

Investigations and digital evidences have revealed that a former chief engineer of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) had passed on money received as bribes to various persons, including those managing the affairs of the DJB and those connected with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Wednesday.

The allegations came a day after the central agency conducted raids at various locations of Delhi, Varanasi and Chandigarh in connection with the Delhi Jal Board corruption case.

According to the ED, the bribe money was also passed on as “election funds” to the AAP.

During the raids, the ED had seized valuables worth Rs 1.97 crore, foreign currency equivalent to Rs four lakh, various incriminating documents and digital evidence. (Mahender Singh Manral writes...)

Speaking on the Kerala governement's protest in the national capital tomorrow, CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, "Kerala is poised for a historic protest in Delhi tomorrow. Ministers, legislators, and parliamentarians from the state will actively participate in this protest. We have had to resort to such an unprecedented struggle, as it is essential for Kerala’s survival and advancement."

Amit Chakraborty, Human Resources department head of Newsclick, moved the Delhi High Court on Wednesday seeking bail in an Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) case lodged against the news portal over allegations that it was given money to spread pro-China propaganda.

A single-judge bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma was informed by Chakraborty’s counsel that his client had already turned approver in the case and has been in custody since October 3, 2023.

“Pardon has been granted by the sessions court. The matter is still at the investigation stage and no chargesheet has been filed yet,” Chakraborty’s counsel submitted, adding that his client is “cooperating with the investigation agency”.

The counsel appearing for the Delhi Police submitted that they have no objection if bail is granted to Chakraborty.

“Order reserved,” Justice Sharma, thereafter, said. (Read Malavika Prasad's report)

A 33-year-old undertrial prisoner of Tihar jail died during treatment at Deen Dayal Hospital (DDU), police said on Wednesday.

Gurdeep Singh alias Gora had been undergoing treatment at the hospital since February 1 after falling unconscious in jail number 3, said an officer. Gurdeep Singh was arrested in a case of theft in Vikaspuri and sent to Tihar jail on Jan 29, the officer said. The officer said Gora was previously involved in 11 cases of theft and Arms Act in Hari Nagar and Vikaspuri.

The prison authorities have ordered an inquiry into the cause of the death and also informed the family members. (PTI)

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and several other Congress ministers, MLAs and MPs from Karnataka protested at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday against the “injustice” done to the state in the devolution of taxes and grants-in-aid over the past few years.

Alleging discrimination against Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said the state gives Rs 100 in terms of revenue to the Centre but gets back only Rs 13. (Read Deeptiman Tiwary's coverage here)

The BJP on Wednesday lashed out at the Congress government in Karnataka over its claim that the state was not getting funds from the central pool proportionate to its contribution, saying the argument is not only against federalism but also very "anti-national".

Several Karnataka BJP MPs addressed a press conference here on the day Chief Minister Siddaramaiah led a protest against the Centre's alleged discrimination in allocation of funds to the state, with Tejasvi Surya, a Lok Sabha member, accusing him of making baseless and false allegations as his government cannot fulfil unrealistic promised made during assembly polls.

Surya said the Congress had promised 10 kg free rice to the poor before the polls but realised after coming to power that the state cannot procure enough rice and began blaming the central government.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had reportedly said a few months ago that the state has no fund for development while the chief minister's economic advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy had said the state has to find new ways to get revenue due to the financial burden caused by different guarantees, he noted. "It is in this context the latest drama in Delhi of the Karnataka government and the Congress has to be seen," the Bengaluru South MP said, describing the protests as "purely political gimmick" as the Congress cannot fulfil promises made in haste and irresponsibly. He asked Congress leaders to stop their "drama" and go back to the state and work for people's development.
 
Joined by BJP MPs Pratap Simha and S Muniswamy among others, Surya said the total tax devolution to the state during the 2004-14 rule of the Congress-led UPA was Rs 81,795 crore while it jumped by 250 per cent to Rs 2,85,452 crore during the 2014-24 BJP-led NDA government. The grant-in aids during the corresponding periods were Rs 60,779 crore and Rs 2,08,832 crore, he said. "Yet the chief minister prefers to lie and misguide people of the state," Surya alleged.

With the state government citing that Karnataka is among the highest contributors to the central pool but its share of revenue was not commensurate, he countered with the argument that Bengaluru is responsible for 60 per cent of the state's revenue, then why it should not receive the same share for its development. 

Surya said Karnataka has been receiving the most FDI and it was also due to the policies of the Modi government. "This argument is against principles of federalism, principles enshrined in the Constitution and, I dare say, is very anti-national," he added. "The Congress is the original tukde-tukde party of the country. They were solely responsible for India's partition. The same party is again speaking in separatist and divisive tone yet again today. This is inherent in its dna. People of the country and the state will reject their argument," he said.

Surya asserted that the commission arrived at its recommendations after extensive consultations. He accused the Congress of passing off its "figment of imagination" as some proposal of the commission responsible for fixing the share of states and the Union in the central pool of revenue. (PTI)

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar took to X and wrote, 'Condemning the central government's step-motherly attitude towards Karnataka in tax distribution, it participated in the Delhi Chalo protest in the capital Delhi today and spoke to the Chief Ministers. We are not doing politics on emotions, we are fighting for the lives of the poor. This struggle is leaving a legacy in history. Millions of Kannadigas have joined hands in our struggle. This is the ongoing struggle to increase the debt of Kannadigas, to provide justice to the poor and to satisfy their hunger...'

Injustice has been done to Karnataka. Seven crore people give tax every day and we are getting only 13 per cent, we want our share,' says Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar as state govt protests against Centre in Delhi.

President Droupadi Murmu interacts with school students during her ride in the Delhi metro

During their protest against the central government at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says "Karnataka is the second biggest state that is giving highest revenue to this country. We are asking for our rights, we are asking for our share...We have come here to show that we all are fighting here for the people of Karnataka..."

HR head of Newsclick Amit Chakrabarty has moved the Delhi HC seeking bail in a UAPA case following allegations that the news portal received money for pro-China propaganda. The Delhi police said that it has no objection if bail is granted to Chakravarty. Chakravarty submitted before the HC that he has already turned approver in the matter. The HC reserved its verdict after taking note of the police’s submission.

Karnataka ministers, Congress MLAs protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi against the Centre, alleging 'injustice' to the state in tax devolution and grants-in-aid over the past few years.

Delhi BJP secretary Harish Khurana in response to Atishi’s press conference stated that, 'Like always, Atishi is trying to trigger sensationalism by repeating that the ED found nothing. She had said the same things when Manish Sisodia got arrested…when Sanjay Singh got arrested. Atishi ji, whatever has been recovered, the ED will tell the court, not you. If nothing is being recovered…why hasn’t Sisodia been able to secure bail for the past year? Stop trying to portray yourself as a victim of vendetta politics…facts will be presented in court…the law is taking its course'

Delhi minister Atishi alleged that the ED has made it very clear that now it is not even showing off that there is some case.... It has made it very clear that the key motive behind these raids and summons is only to destroy AAP and Kejriwal.

ED has conducted raids at several AAP leaders and members yesterday. The agency raided the house of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's PS for 16 hours. The House of AAP's Rajya Sabha MP ND Gupta was also raised for 18 hours. But, today I am going to expose these raids by ED.

Multiple teams of the Enforcement Directorate are  conducting raids at 17 locations in Delhi, Uttrakhand, Chandigarh in connection with an alleged forest scam case linked to Uttarakhand Congress leader and former minister Harak Singh Rawat.

Ahead of major protest demonstrations by farmers in Noida and Greater Noida, the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police on Tuesday said restrictions under CrPC section 144 will be in effect on February 7 and 8. Farmer organisations Bhartiya Kisan Parishad, Jai Jawan Jai Kisan, and Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sangathan will join the protest march.

A 28-year-old man has been arrested in Neb Sarai, South Delhi, for allegedly beating and sexually assaulting a woman from Darjeeling and throwing hot dal on her after he invited her to stay with him in Delhi under the pretext of a job. They became friends four months ago through social media.

Following the ED's raids Tuesday morning at the residences of several AAP leaders, including his Personal Secretary Bibhav Kumar, in connection with an alleged money laundering case, CM Arvind Kejriwal asserted that these actions are driven solely by "political malice to harass and crush AAP". Kejriwal emphasised that "not a single penny," was found during the raids.  

"This country is run by law and Constitution. India is not anyone's inherited property. This country has 140 crore people. People will never tolerate this kind of hooliganism," the CM added.

The national capital on Tuesday recorded a maximum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius, two notches below the normal, while the the air quality improved significantly, settling in the 'moderate' category, officials said.

The city recorded a low of 7 degrees Celsius, two notches below the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Delhi is likely to experience strong surface winds with a speed of 20-30 kmph during the day for the next two days, according to the India Meteorological Department.

Kuldeep Srivastava, scientist and head of the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, told PTI that in the upcoming days, the national capital will likely see a clear sky with no major fluctuation in the temperature.

"There will be strong surface winds with a speed of 20-30 kmph during the day on Wednesday and Thursday and after February 10, we can expect changes in the temperature, but until then, there won't be any major fluctuations," Srivastava said. (PTI) 

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday directed officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to open the Gurgaon section of the Dwarka Expressway.

In a meeting, Minister of State and Gurgaon MP Rao Inderjit Singh said the Gurgaon portion of the expressway is complete and should be opened to traffic, providing relief to the residents, to which Gadkari gave his approval.

The Delhi High Court has asked the city government to make an endeavour to pay additional Rs 20 lakh to the families of workers, who lost their lives in manual scavenging, in pursuance to a Supreme Court’s verdict.

The high court said it is well settled that when a person approaches a court and gets a declaration of law in his favour, it is expected that the State shall extend the same benefit to all the similarly situated persons without forcing those persons to approach the court of law.

A Delhi court on Tuesday granted permission to AAP MP Sanjay Singh to go to Parliament and take the oath as an MP for the second time. While the court had previously allowed Singh, who had been suspended in July last year for not obeying the Rajya Sabha Chairman’s directions to take the oath, sources had indicated that he would remain suspended until the Privileges Committee disposes of the matter against him.

In response to the ED’s raids on Tuesday morning at the homes of multiple AAP leaders in connection with alleged money laundering case, including CM Arvind Kejriwal’s Personal Secretary Bibhav Kumar, AAP sources told The Indian Express that the ED has planted an informal and unsigned ‘statement’ in the media. They stated, ‘If the ED is clean, let them issue a formal signed statement on their letterhead. The informal and unsigned statement issued is full of wrong and false assertions,’ they added.