Singhu appears calm as farmers rethink strategy

New Delhi, Jan 29 : Heavy police and paramilitary presence were seen at Singhu border on Friday as the farmers continued to rethink their strategy.

In the last 24 hours, the situation at Singhu border has eased out in comparison to the developments of Thursday evening where confusion and apprehensions were seen as the police erected barricades and blocked roads leading to the border.

Several routes connecting both Delhi and Haryana to the Singhu border were also closed by the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces.

The police have also blocked small lanes connecting Haryana and Delhi to corner the protesters to a limited area.

“Singhu and Saboli borders are closed. Auchandi, Lampur, Safiabad, Piau Maniyari, Singhu school and Palla toll tax borders are open. Please take alternate routes. Traffic is heavy & diverted from NH 44. Pl avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK road & NH 44,” said a senior officer of Traffic Police.

Heavy police deployment was seen at Ghazipur border on Thursday evening but by the night the additional police forces started moving as the number of farmers swelled.

“Ghazipur border is closed. Traffic diverted from NH 24, NH 9, Road no 56, 57 A, Kondli, Paper market, Telco T point, EDM Mall, Akshardham and Nizammudin Khatta. Traffic is heavy on Vikas marg, IP extention, NH 24. Please commute from other borders,” said the officer.

At Tikri border too, the farmers continued their protest amid heavy police and paramilitary deployment.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has issued notice to six farmer unions to join the probe into the unprecedented rampage by farmers during their rally on Republic Day that left at least one person dead and several injured.

They have been summoned to join the investigation and record their version before the Crime Branch. Of the 33 FIRs registered in connection with the January 26 violence, nine will be investigated by the Crime Branch. Look out circulars have already been issued against 44 protesters and farmer leaders.

Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from IANS service.