Farmers’ protest: Traffic in Capital crawls, heavy security leads to chaos

Gurgaon Police, meanwhile, said barricading by Delhi Police was the reason behind the crawling traffic. “Police were checking vehicles on the Delhi side, leading to slow vehicular movement. As it was the peak hour, the condition got worse on Delhi-Jaipur Highway,” said an officer.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police beefed up security across the city and the borders. While Tikri and Singhu were sealed, the service lane of Delhi-Meerut Expressway at Ghazipur was closed on both sides.

Singhu border was heavily fortified with five layers of metal barricades topped with barbed wires, two layers of cement barricades, and trucks and eight portable cabins blocking roads.

Security personnel were seen carrying teargas shells as well. Said an RAF officer, “Even if they (farmers) break through the multiple layers of barricading, we have teargas to ensure they do not enter the Singhu border premises… Security has been heavily ramped up as compared to what it was during the 2020 protests. Directions have been issued to ensure teargas is used if they get near Singhu.”

At Tikri, there was a massive deployment of troops from the police and Rapid Action Force. Barriers, barbed wires, and CCTVs were installed over the past week in the area.

DCP (Outer) Jimmy Chiram said there was sufficient deployment of the force, besides paramilitary personnel, at the Delhi-Haryana borders. “Our motive is not to disturb traffic, but to ensure safety, security, and law and order. Teams are checking all the vehicles to ensure farmers do not enter the national capital.”

Security personnel have been directed to not allow one protester or vehicle to enter Delhi, said a senior officer, adding that mock security drills were conducted.