Build bridges, not walls: Rahul Gandhi on security at Delhi borders amid farmers’ protest

Earlier last week, Gandhi had accused the government of “beating, threatening and bullying” farmers, demanding that the three new farm laws should be repealed immediately. He further stressed that it would be wrong for the ruling coalition to think that the protests will end.

Gandhi also accused the Modi government of destroying the livelihoods of farmers and labourers.

The Delhi Police has beefed up security arrangements at the three protest sites placing barricades, boulders and barbed wires amid apprehensions of more farmers from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh joining the protesters.

Monday morning saw new additions to Delhi’s border with Haryana at Tikri as more than 2,000 iron nails were embedded in rows across the breadth of Rohtak Road, positioned to puncture the tyres of vehicles coming in from the Haryana side.

The iron nails were embedded on the road under instructions of the Delhi Police, carried out under the supervision of Mundka police station.

The Delhi Police has introduced stringent security measures after the violent events of January 26.

Besides blocked roads, drones are also being used to keep surveillance and intense checking is being carried out at the border areas.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs has extended the suspension of internet services at the farmer protest sites in Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri borders till Tuesday night.

Farmer unions on Monday announced a countrywide ‘chakka jam’ on February 6 when they would block national and state highways for three hours in protest against the Internet ban in areas near their agitation sites, harassment allegedly meted out to them by authorities and other issues.

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